While pithiness can have a lot of impact, and it may leave the reader with an incomplete picture. Just like the The World Factbook’s entry on the Philippines dated October 4, 2007. The facts and figures are very accurate, but the country summary may leave the wrong impression:
The Philippine Government faces threats from three terrorist groups on the US Government’s Foreign Terrorist Organization list, but in 2006 and 2007 scored some major successes in capturing or killing key wanted terrorists. Decades of Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines have led to a peace accord with one group and an ongoing cease-fire and peace talks with another.
No doubt the above statement strives for balance, but I can’t help but think that a reader who has never visited, or even heard of, the Philippines may be left thinking “So there are a lot of terrorists in the Philippines…”
Well, I guess I can’t do that much about the CIA’s assessment of the Philippines, but this is where blogs like the ones in this network come in: they’re written mostly by people who live, breathe, and dream the Philippines. Whether it’s the happening scene in Cebu, or various landmarks seen in a different way, the BBN strives to leave the reader with an accurate image of the Philippines on a regular basis.
2 Responses to “CIA’s Assessment of the Philippines is Better, But We Do it Best”
Rico,
I have been advising Americans for about 3 years now about visiting the Philippines and “terror”
I was advised not to go to Mindanao in early 2005 February to be exact. Everyone said I was walking into the “Mouth of the Lion.” according to them.
I personally didn’t care. and to this day don’t. I am not careless with my life and safety but I know that the Philippines is not “over run” with terrorist and other such thugs.
My comment to others who asked me why was I there since the CIA advised americans not to travel in Mindanao especially. was simply this…
If I have to live my life in fear while I’m in the Philippines then I shouldn’t be there.
I’m not oblivious to the problem, issues, and potential but i prefer to see life there as an opportunity to meet some great people. And I did…
Thanks for the kind words Don. It’s obvious that you also know that, despite its problems, the Philippines isn’t exactly a terrorist wasteland that has nothing to offer its own people and the rest of the world.
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