Gazmin makes the Philippines look pathetic

Gazmin. Thanks to Inquirer for photo.

Gazmin. Thanks to Inquirer for photo.

Never have I felt so kawawa reading the statements of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin justifying his plan to allow American and Japanese military access to military facilities in the Philippines to deter China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea .

Newspaper reports quoted Gazmin as saying: “We cannot stand alone. We need allies. If we do not (seek allies), we will be bullied by bigger forces and that is what is happening now. China is already there, staying in our territory.”

Gazmin must be referring to the situation in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag, off Zambales which is no longer accessible to Filipino fishermen since April 2012 and Mischief Reef in the Spratlys , which was China occupied in 1995.

It is feared that China would take over Ayungin Shoal, some 25 miles away from Mischief Reef.

Gazmin further said: “What will we do? We cannot attack. We are just going after them in court. But in spite of that, they are still there. They do not want to leave.So what will we do? Should we just wait until they are at our very doorstep? They are already in our garage, right?”

This is not just any wimp of a bureaucrat talking. He is the SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE!

Gazmin heads the department responsible for guarding against external and internal threats to peace and security in the country.

Is it any surprise that China’s People’s Daily responded with a rebuke:”The Philippines, knowing that it’s weak, believes that ‘a crying child will have milk to drink’.”

China’s rebuke hurts, of course. But what cuts deeper is Gazmin’s pathetic stance. His solution is even something to be concerned of because constitutional and sovereignty questions.

US and PH navy soldiers  during a joint military exercises off Zambales.(Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

US and PH navy soldiers during a joint military exercises off Zambales.(Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Also, how sure is Gazmin that the Americans will come to the rescue of the Philippines in case of hostilities against China in the South China Sea.

The Americans have always issued strong statements against China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea and their new policy of re-balancing would move 60 per cent of their Navy’s fleet to the Pacific by 2020 but it is doubtful if it would want to be actively involved in a war against China in defense of the Philippines.

In fact, early this month in Bangkok, Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of the US Pacific Command, after saying the usual line that the US will not allow any change of the status quo by force, advised parties in the South China Sea conflict to compromise. He said the US would not take sides and stressed the importance of a code of conduct that would govern activities in the South China Sea.

Those who have the illusion that the US will come to the rescue of the Philippines against China cling to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty which states that “Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

“…in accordance with its constitutional processes” means even if President Obama wants to send troops to help the Philippines, he would need approval from US Congress. That would involve debates which could last months. While they are debating whether they would risk American lives to help the Philippines,the Chinese must have sunk whatever is left of the Philippine Navy ships.

Also, as we ask US and Japan to help us against China, we are also asking China a favor to save a convicted Filipina drug courier from the death sentence. China snubbed the request. They said they have no time to receive Vice President Jejomar Binay, who was supposed to personally convey the President’s appeal.

Ano ba naman tayo?

Gazmin makes the Philippines look pathetic

Gazmin. Thanks to Inquirer for photo.

Gazmin. Thanks to Inquirer for photo.

Never have I felt so kawawa reading the statements of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin justifying his plan to allow American and Japanese military access to military facilities in the Philippines to deter China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea .

Newspaper reports quoted Gazmin as saying: “We cannot stand alone. We need allies. If we do not (seek allies), we will be bullied by bigger forces and that is what is happening now. China is already there, staying in our territory.”

Gazmin must be referring to the situation in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag, off Zambales which is no longer accessible to Filipino fishermen since April 2012 and Mischief Reef in the Spratlys , which was China occupied in 1995.

It is feared that China would take over Ayungin Shoal, some 25 miles away from Mischief Reef.

Gazmin further said: “What will we do? We cannot attack. We are just going after them in court. But in spite of that, they are still there. They do not want to leave.So what will we do? Should we just wait until they are at our very doorstep? They are already in our garage, right?”

This is not just any wimp of a bureaucrat talking. He is the SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE!

Gazmin heads the department responsible for guarding against external and internal threats to peace and security in the country.

Is it any surprise that China’s People’s Daily responded with a rebuke:”The Philippines, knowing that it’s weak, believes that ‘a crying child will have milk to drink’.”

China’s rebuke hurts, of course. But what cuts deeper is Gazmin’s pathetic stance. His solution is even something to be concerned of because constitutional and sovereignty questions.

US and PH navy soldiers  during a joint military exercises off Zambales.(Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

US and PH navy soldiers during a joint military exercises off Zambales.(Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Also, how sure is Gazmin that the Americans will come to the rescue of the Philippines in case of hostilities against China in the South China Sea.

The Americans have always issued strong statements against China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea and their new policy of re-balancing would move 60 per cent of their Navy’s fleet to the Pacific by 2020 but it is doubtful if it would want to be actively involved in a war against China in defense of the Philippines.

In fact, early this month in Bangkok, Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of the US Pacific Command, after saying the usual line that the US will not allow any change of the status quo by force, advised parties in the South China Sea conflict to compromise. He said the US would not take sides and stressed the importance of a code of conduct that would govern activities in the South China Sea.

Those who have the illusion that the US will come to the rescue of the Philippines against China cling to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty which states that “Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

“…in accordance with its constitutional processes” means even if President Obama wants to send troops to help the Philippines, he would need approval from US Congress. That would involve debates which could last months. While they are debating whether they would risk American lives to help the Philippines,the Chinese must have sunk whatever is left of the Philippine Navy ships.

Also, as we ask US and Japan to help us against China, we are also asking China a favor to save a convicted Filipina drug courier from the death sentence. China snubbed the request. They said they have no time to receive Vice President Jejomar Binay, who was supposed to personally convey the President’s appeal.

Ano ba naman tayo?

Gazmin makes the Philippines look pathetic

Gazmin. Thanks to Inquirer for photo.

Gazmin. Thanks to Inquirer for photo.

Never have I felt so kawawa reading the statements of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin justifying his plan to allow American and Japanese military access to military facilities in the Philippines to deter China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea .

Newspaper reports quoted Gazmin as saying: “We cannot stand alone. We need allies. If we do not (seek allies), we will be bullied by bigger forces and that is what is happening now. China is already there, staying in our territory.”

Gazmin must be referring to the situation in Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Panatag, off Zambales which is no longer accessible to Filipino fishermen since April 2012 and Mischief Reef in the Spratlys , which was China occupied in 1995.

It is feared that China would take over Ayungin Shoal, some 25 miles away from Mischief Reef.

Gazmin further said: “What will we do? We cannot attack. We are just going after them in court. But in spite of that, they are still there. They do not want to leave.So what will we do? Should we just wait until they are at our very doorstep? They are already in our garage, right?”

This is not just any wimp of a bureaucrat talking. He is the SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE!

Gazmin heads the department responsible for guarding against external and internal threats to peace and security in the country.

Is it any surprise that China’s People’s Daily responded with a rebuke:”The Philippines, knowing that it’s weak, believes that ‘a crying child will have milk to drink’.”

China’s rebuke hurts, of course. But what cuts deeper is Gazmin’s pathetic stance. His solution is even something to be concerned of because constitutional and sovereignty questions.

US and PH navy soldiers  during a joint military exercises off Zambales.(Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

US and PH navy soldiers during a joint military exercises off Zambales.(Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Also, how sure is Gazmin that the Americans will come to the rescue of the Philippines in case of hostilities against China in the South China Sea.

The Americans have always issued strong statements against China’s aggressive moves in the South China Sea and their new policy of re-balancing would move 60 per cent of their Navy’s fleet to the Pacific by 2020 but it is doubtful if it would want to be actively involved in a war against China in defense of the Philippines.

In fact, early this month in Bangkok, Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of the US Pacific Command, after saying the usual line that the US will not allow any change of the status quo by force, advised parties in the South China Sea conflict to compromise. He said the US would not take sides and stressed the importance of a code of conduct that would govern activities in the South China Sea.

Those who have the illusion that the US will come to the rescue of the Philippines against China cling to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty which states that “Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on either of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

“…in accordance with its constitutional processes” means even if President Obama wants to send troops to help the Philippines, he would need approval from US Congress. That would involve debates which could last months. While they are debating whether they would risk American lives to help the Philippines,the Chinese must have sunk whatever is left of the Philippine Navy ships.

Also, as we ask US and Japan to help us against China, we are also asking China a favor to save a convicted Filipina drug courier from the death sentence. China snubbed the request. They said they have no time to receive Vice President Jejomar Binay, who was supposed to personally convey the President’s appeal.

Ano ba naman tayo?

Sony HDR-GWP88 unboxed in the flesh, first impressions

Waterproof, shockproof, dustproof & freezeproof; those are the makings of the Sony HDR-GWP88 Handycam that was launched days ago for the local market. It features 16GB of internal memory and a unique built-in projector. We have one to unbox right now, so read on.

Before anything else, here is the unboxing video that we have for you:

So, taking it out of the box, we have a very compact device. It’s not really light, but it isn’t heavy at all either. When you take it into your hand, the controls fall directly to your fingers, and the ergonomics here work very well. In any way that you hold it, your thumb will always be near the zoom & record/standby controls.

sony handycam HDR-GWP88

On the back, you’ll find a button for the projector, zoom controls, start/stop and a button for taking photos instantly. Below that is a well sealed compartment where you’ll find the micro SD card slot, the micro USB port, the micro HDMI port and the battery. Up front, all you’ll find is the camera, the flash and a self-recording button.

sony handycam HDR-GWP88

On top and on the sides, you will find a load of labels and branding, while on the bottom you will see the stand, a lock for the battery door and the speakers.

sony handycam HDR-GWP88

By simply flipping the screen open, the device is powered on. After that, you are confronted by a very manageable touchscreen display that flips 180 degrees, and behind that is the projector.

sony handycam HDR-GWP88

So far, so good. We’ve managed to submerge it in water already, took a few shots here & there and project our contents into walls & ceilings – and glad to say it does pretty good. We’ll be getting into the details very soon with our full review, so stay tuned.

Sony HDR-GWP88 specs:
1/3.91 type BSI Exmor R CMOS Sensor
20.4 megapixel still images, 29.8mm Wide Angle Lens G
Optical SteadyShot image stabilization
10x Optical Zoom
16GB internal memory
3.0 inch Clear Photo LCD display
Slow Motion Recording 1/250 – 1/10,000
Waterproof up to 10m
Shockproof up to 1.5m
Dustproof
Freezeproof up to -10 Celsius
Projector
1240mAH NP-BX1 Sony battery
40mm × 108.5mm × 70mm (dimensions)
210g (weight)

The Sony HDR-GWP88 is now available in stores with a suggested retail price of Php34,999, with freebies such as an additional battery, a 16GB micro SD card, a carrying case, etc.

Editor’s Note and Disclosure: Sony Philippine sent us this unit a couple of days before launch and to use it. They also gave the unit for free.

The post Sony HDR-GWP88 unboxed in the flesh, first impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Lenovo S920 5.3-inch quad-core phone now available

Another phablet is in the market and this time, it’s from Lenovo Philippines. The Lenovo S920, a quad-core phone with a 5.3-inch screen.

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Lenovo S920 features a 5.3-inch HD IPS panel with OGS Technology, 1.2GHz quad-core MTK 6589 processor, 1GB of RAM, an 8MP rear-camera with 2MP on front, wireless FM radio and Dual SIM standby. All these in a slim 7.9mm body.

Lenovo S920 specifications:
5.3-inch capacitive IPS HD display (1280×720 pixels), 277ppi
OGS Technology
Mediatek MTK6589 1.2 GHz quad-core processor
1GB RAM
4GB internal storage
up to 32GB via microSD
3G/HSPA+
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 2.1
8MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera
Wireless FM radio
GPS with A-GPS
Li-Ion 2250mAh battery
Android 4.2 Jellybean
153.9 x 77.7 x 7.9 mm (dimensions)
152.2 grams (weight)

It is currently priced at Php16,999.

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