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Post by EXO on Jun 3, 2022 15:37:04 GMT 8
From Facebook: CORREGIDOR RELICS REMOVED & RELOCATEDFor years the PTB (powers that be) have been telling us to 'Remember Corregidor', and that it is 'Sacred'. Corregidor was established as a Memorial Zone (indeed, one wag - a veteran nonetheless, commented that if any more memorials were built on Corregidor, it might sink.) History, Heritage and Remembrance, after all, were the reasons for over 50 years of tourist trips there, and which (in the 1970's) made Corregidor one of the two most popular family-rated tourist trips in Manila. (Pagsanjan Falls was the other).
Never mind the respect and sacredness, "they" (I use the generic "they" because I have no idea who signed off on this) have removed the spare barrels of Battery Crockett and Battery Hearn from Corregidor and have been working to set them up in an area facing Manila Bay, just off Roxas Blvd.
This is misguided respect, and it diminishes Corregidor as an authentic battlefield.
It is early days, so far, and no doubt there will be more information to come.
If you are contemplating comments, please paste them both on the CHS FB Page and here as well.
And on Facebook, SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!
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Post by David on Jun 3, 2022 16:31:18 GMT 8
Well since it's there already, I hope it's guarded well. But return it back to Corregidor where it belongs.
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Post by EXO on Jun 3, 2022 20:56:42 GMT 8
Dolomite Beach was heading towards failure, it was a big spend for which there never was any demand, and it was set to become a high maintenance eyesore, and an embarrassment. So some bright spark has an idea to make the area a different style of attraction. Not so much historic revisionism, just pure, expedient misdirection.
The major issue should be about the role of the CFI in this.
The people running CFI should have resigned in protest.
Where is the benefit to Corregidor for which they have lost two historic artefacts? Were they otherwise distracted?
They have not protected the assets of the island, which is surely the reason they were appointed.
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Post by EXO on Jun 5, 2022 14:02:22 GMT 8
EDITORIAL
We seem to be hitting a raw nerve on this issue. Well, not so much CHS, and not here on our quiet, quiet, super-quiet Forum, but over at the Facebook, in the region of "WWII In The Philippines."
Tony F., who is Admin of "WWII In The Philippines" has recently rejected a bloc of 30+ attempts by prospective trolls to join into an attack against those who are calling the issue as it truly is - an abomination. It's not that it is simply being called an abomination, it is because the membership is capable of giving chapter and verse reasons why it is so. The trolls are attempting to hinder the discussion with the usual tactical irrelevancies and misdirection, because the site's regular membership has been getting a few battery salvos on target and causing damage to the official narrative.
It's obvious the membership has the knowledge, and the trolls have the pesos. Where are the pesos coming from? My guess? - The DODB - "Defenders of Dolomite Beach" tourist attraction. Now who do you suppose that might be?
The misdirection is to play down anything which raises discussions of breaches of the protocols pursuant to which Corregidor had been preserved as a historic memorial, pursuant to law. The barrels were removed, in effect stolen, from Corregidor during a four day shut down of the island. Research on early press releases showed that the removal of the barrels at Drum had been contemplated, probably because it could have been done without too much opposition. Drum is under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Coast Guard. Even had the removal of the barrels been approved, the necessity for heavy lift would have been extremely costly. So, on the quiet, the removal of the artefacts from Corregidor was resolved on.
The stupidity doesn't end there. The removalists ignored the spare Cheney barrel at North Beach, and went for the barrels that were on display and obvious at Battery Crockett and Battery Hearn. Why do you suppose that was?
The Memorial Site of Corregidor (and its associated islands) are the property of the Philippine Department of Defence. They have designated the Philippine Retirement Authority (PVOA) to act on their behalf. I make the inference that this Authority is under the Department of Tourism, as it says so on their website. Corregidor Foundation Inc was appointed to manage the facility, to look after the remembrance sites and equipment and to encourage tourism.
It was PVOA's decision to remove the barrels, so I am told. CFI may or may not have agreed, I don't know. I only ever know about CFI by reading the entrails. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt, and assume that they were persuaded to allow the barrels removal from Corregidor by authority higher than theirs. Was the removal contrary to the desires of the DoD? I don't know the answer to that, either.
I dealt in the past with the issue of who owns Corregidor, and I will do so again, as it is important.
WHO OWNS CORREGIDOR - THE SHORT ANSWER
The real ownership of Corregidor is not the Department of Tourism (DOT). They are trustees. The ultimate ownership of Corregidor is the Department of National Defense (DND). The DND has conferred governorship (a form of trusteeship) on the DOT for tourism purposes only. The DOT has, in turn, delegated control to the Corregidor Foundation Inc.(CFI).
I'll remind folk, that you cannot delegate a power that has not been delegated to you in the first place.
The CFI is a corporation, whether with or without an original charter, and under the audit jurisdiction of the Commission on Audit so long as the government owns or has controlling interest in it.
Though having regard to recent issues, I am concerned for them. I love CFI, but it's more a "devil you know" sort of love.
THE LONG-WINDED LEGAL ANSWER
Executive Order No. 58, series of 1954, made certain battlefield areas in Corregidor open to the public and accessible as tourist attractions. Executive Order No. 123, series of 1968, further amended Executive Order No. 58, thereby authorizing the Ministry of National Defense to enter into contracts for the conversion of areas within the Corregidor as tourist spots.
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 123, the Ministry of National Defense and the Philippine Tourism Authority executed a Memorandum of Agreement dated July 10, 1986 for the development of Corregidor and its neighboring islands into major tourist attractions. Specifically, the Ministry of National Defense, with prior approval of the President, leased the entire island of Corregidor to the Philippine Tourism Authority for one peso (P1.00). As for the Philippine Tourism Authority, it undertook to maintain and preserve the war relics on the island and to fully develop Corregidor's potential as an international and local tourist destination. The Philippine Tourism Authority was thus authorized to "package and source the necessary funds to develop and restore the Corregidor Island group."
On February 6, 1987, the Philippine Tourism Authority Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. B-7-87, approving the creation of a foundation for the development of Corregidor. On October 28, 1987, the Corregidor Foundation, Inc. was incorporated under Securities and Exchange Commission Registration No. 145674.
On August 3, 1993, the Philippine Tourism Authority executed a Memorandum of Agreement with Corregidor Foundation, Inc. to centralize the island's planning and development. The Philippine Tourism Authority agreed to release to the Corregidor Foundation, Inc. its operating funds based on a budget for its approval. For its part, the Corregidor Foundation, Inc. agreed to submit a quarterly report on the receipts and disbursements of Philippine Tourism Authority funds. It additionally agreed to deposit all collections of revenues in a distinct and separate account in the name of the island of Corregidor, with the disposition of the funds at the sole discretion of the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Another Memorandum of Agreement was subsequently entered into by the Philippine Tourism Authority and the Corregidor Foundation, Inc. on September 3, 1996. The subsequent Agreement reiterated the provisions of the August 3, 1993 Agreement but added some stipulations. In particular, the second paragraph of item 4 was included, providing that the disbursements of the Philippine Tourism Authority's funds by Corregidor Foundation, Inc. shall be subject to the audit of the Internal Auditor of the Philippine Tourism Authority and the Commission on Audit.
All told, Corregidor Foundation, Inc. is a government-owned or controlled corporation. It is subject to the Commission on Audit which has the power, authority, and duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the Government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters.
WHERE IS THE CORREGIDOR HISTORIC SOCIETY IN ALL OF THIS?
Essentially nowhere. We don't exist. We are an unchartered unincorporated agglomeration of persons interested in Corregidor. We are aware that for years, Corregidor Island seemed to be perceived solely as a popular historical site, with its idyllic features unknown to many. We support all efforts to usher in a new era for this Eco-Historical location, making it known as a place of sanctuary where one can enjoy a relaxing opportunity to revel in the past. As an Eco-Historical destination, we - as a group of like-minded individuals, encourage all initiatives aimed at developing Corregidor's ecological credentials. We support a push towards making Corregidor a National Park.
To the extent that CFI supports making Corregidor a Eco-Historical location, CORREGIDOR HISTORIC SOCIETY has always supported them.
In the not so distant past, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) announced that it has been eyeing to develop the 546-hectare island of Corregidor into a Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (FTEZ) due to its historical value and potentials for tourism. This can't come quick enough for us. At present, there are five FTEZs across the country, as well as other TEZs. Among the FTEZ are the 883.11-hectare Long Beach area of San Vicente, Palawan; the Rizal Park Complex in Manila; Mt. Samat Shrine in Bataan; Panglao Bay Premiere in Bohol; and Bucas Grande in Surigao del Norte. The Ciudad de Victoria in Bulacan, Queen's Castle Golf and Resort in Cebu, Bravo Golf in Negros Occidental, Hijo Resources in Davao del Norte, Kingdom Global City in Davao, Aton Land & Leisure Zone in Negros Occidental, and Amorita Resort in Bohol are also classified as Tourism Enterprise Zones designated areas.
TEZ-designated areas are granted fiscal and non-fiscal incentives such as six-year income tax holiday, 5 percent gross income taxation, and tax- and duty-free importation of goods and services. The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is now offering tax incentives to tourism enter
SO WHAT OF IT? QUO VADIS CORREGIDOR AGAIN.
The Dolomite Beach is a project for the enhancement of Tourism in Manila. It enhances Manila by creating touristy images of pristine white dolomite, in the form of a beach facing Manila Bay Photos of it make it look wonderful, but you should not swim there, because the fecal coliform count is, well, you wouldn't really want to know.
Dolomite Beach is not, so far as I can determine as of this time of writing, for the enhancement of Tourism on Corregidor.
The placement of two barrels there is not, so far as I can determine as of this time of writing, for the enhancement of Tourism on Corregidor.
The Covid Disaster buggered up Tourism on Corregidor, and stripping Corregidor of its assets, while it lays prostrate, is not for the benefit of Tourism on Corregidor.
It is not an issue that removal of two barrels is de minimis, such that we should not trifle with it. An asset is an asset, and the removal of an asset with the intention to permanently deprive, is in my book, theft. The removal of one dollar without authority makes a bank teller a thief, the amount is just taken into account after the conviction.
The removal of assets from Corregidor for the purpose of enhancing the Dolomite Beach Project is something which, being contrary to the enhancement of Tourism on Corregidor, must be objected to. It betrays the ownership of the DND.
If someone wants to pass a law that they can, and should by all means, pass a law. Don't do it by press release and troll armies.
There are too many cooks spoiling the broth here. IMHO, the DND should be moving to re-establish its primacy, and should be re-launching Corregidor as a tourist destination, not as some adjunct to a beach where you cannot swim safely because the fecal coliform count is off the charts.
As to what sort of a tourist destination Corregidor should be, well, I look first to the past, so it may guide the future. We are aware that for years, Corregidor Island has been perceived solely as a popular historical site, with its idyllic features unknown to many. We should build on this. I support all efforts to usher in a new era for this Eco-Historical location, making it known as a place of sanctuary where one can enjoy a relaxing opportunity to appreciate and better understand the Heritage past. As an Eco-Historical destination, I encourage all initiatives aimed at developing Corregidor's ecological credentials.
That also includes the exclusion of high-price elite residential subdivisions, and a "Starbucks " on the beach approach.
We also support a push towards making Corregidor a National Historical Park, or even a World Heritage Area. You never know what can happen until you try. The sin is to not try.
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Post by oozlefinch on Jun 6, 2022 12:45:22 GMT 8
EXO, thanx for the historical legal background. I always wondered how CFI got on the island. I remember back in 1987, the American Battle Monuments Commission was in negotiations with the government to take over that part of the island above, I believe, the 350 level and care for the artifacts thereon. I've always thought that the real reason that didn't happen was someone felt they could make some money, so it didn't happen. Oh, well, think what the island would have looked like if that had happened. Being ever the optimist, maybe having the guns on display will spark some interest in the younger generations to go visit the island.
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Post by westernaus on Jun 7, 2022 10:37:41 GMT 8
Well EXO there is one thing they cant remove all the guns and equipment from the ROCK and with time the dolomite beach may wash away in the next big storm . The Philippines needs to get positive about the slow enroachment of China on the Philippines . We have seen the results of their tactic against our Australian air force survey airplane the other day off the coast of the Philippines . WESTERNAUS, I will reply here lest we get too far detoured from the "Two Barrels" Affair. It is indeed peculiar how the integrity of Corregidor as a place of remembrance was disrespected, in much the same way as the Philippines is being encroached upon by the CCP. The Philippines doesn't realize they have lost the War for The South China Sea, and all of the oil-bearing deposits under it. It started when Pres. Arroyo contracted with a CCP Company to conduct geophysical explorations there, to ascertain oil-bearing geologic deposits. Most everyone has forgotten this. The CCP, KNOWING the results, resolved to have those oil deposits for themselves. Hey Presto, the Nine-Dash-Line!
There's as much oil there as in the North Sea. The CCP never lets a mug have an even break.
As for the "tactic" against an Australian aircraft in International Airspace, You use the correct word, "attack". The weapon of choice was chaff, and used in that manner it was intended to be kinetic. Australians need to wake the f**k up. The mettle of the new Australian Government hs been called, measured, and found to be wanting. I don't want to turn this forum into an international head-kicking exercise, other than to say, "Yes, we are at war, and if we keep on not knowing it, we will lose it."
It's no different with Big Government using Corregidor as a storehouse for their Contrivance Project of the Month. It's officially approved scrapping of heritage.
-exo- [/div]
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Post by EXO on Jun 7, 2022 14:34:40 GMT 8
The skirt arrives, to make the two barrels more Fort Drum-like. (Image by Leila)
This is turning into the story of a heritage clusterf**k and 'cover up'.
The creation of the REPLICA FORT DRUM Battery by DENR was initially announced to occur by June 12, through an article published 31 May. If you read the article, you can see that the project was being slated for completion under the outgoing Administration so that it could take the praise, and not the new Administration. (Refer Article) It spruiks: "The Heritage Cannon is one of the original World War II cannons from Fort Drum Island situated at the mouth of Manila Bay."
That phrase "one of the original World War II cannons (sic) from Fort Drum Island" is false. They may have intended it to be, but that is not what played out.
Also take note, it might come in handy later:- The word "Corregidor" does not appear in the DENR Press release. Ergo, the project is NOT for the promotion of tourism to Corregidor.
There are no day trips to Corregidor presently, because Sun Cruises closed down, and sold their boats.
To my mind, there were at least three cogent reasons that the cannons (sic) from Fort Drum were not used. Firstly, it was too difficult to recover them. A heavy lift crane would have been required. Secondly, it was too expensive to recover them. Cranes don't come cheap. Thirdly it would have taken too long. June 12 deadline, remember?
So DENR decided to remove two barrels from Corregidor instead.
They did not announce this publicly at the time. Quick and dirty.
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall when that was decided! Here's a parody, a clown show, of what might have been heard.
"What about the Cheney Barrel, it's been laying at North Dock for at least 77 years. Hardly anyone knows it's there." "No, the Cheney Barrel is too near a tree. Lets take two from Topside instead." "What about Wheeler?" "No, it has a hole in it." "What about . . . . ." Nah, it needs to be an easy lift. We've got no heavy lift capability. We've got to drag them... "Well, what about Crockett and Hearn, then?" "OK. What if someone sees it being done?" "We'll close the island to outsiders for a few days. No one will know." "But what if there is blow-back? You know, from those who actually believe in History and Heritage?" "Well, that's easily fixed. We'll hire 200 trolls to flood Farcebook who will say that this project is the most wonderful, most inspiring beachfront since Moses walked from the Red Sea." "Anything else?" "yes, whatever you do, don't mention the fecal coliform count." "Minions! I have a job for you!"
Yes, two barrels from Corregidor are being installed at Dolomite Beach, in a faux recreation of Fort Drum. Now was this for the purpose of promoting tourism on Corregidor?
I think the answer is clear to all, dear readers, is that NO, it does not. It was not.
It promotes other things, and other places. BUT NOT CORREGIDOR!!
The express purposes of Corregidor Foundation Inc. are not just to govern and maintain Corregidor, but also to promote tourism on Corregidor. The purpose of CFI is not to promote tourism to the Philippines generally. The purpose of CFI is not to promote tourism at Dolomite Beach. That's the DENR's responsibility. From this, I infer that DENR either (a) asked CFI ever so politely or (b) suggested, while rolling a couple of brass balls in its hand, that it would be in CFI's best interests to concede two barrels to the Department's project, and to STFU. Neither of these alternatives reflects well for the future or independence of CFI's governance, what with an incoming Administration just around the corner.
That's the first aspect of this inglorious affair.
The second is the covering-up of the two barrels. Literally. Yes, recent evidence (see photo above) is that a skirt, shield, or containment of the barrels is presently being installed. in the fashion of a Fort Drum turret or casemate.
To make the two Corregidor barrels look like something they never were.
There are, so they say, two things that it's better not knowing - Firstly, how Governments arrive at decisions, and secondly, how sausages are made.
Methinks that in this instance, it's safer to know how sausages are made.
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Post by EXO on Jun 8, 2022 13:59:39 GMT 8
EDITORIAL - THE TWO BARRELS AFFAIRTwo barrels (those of Battery Crockett and Battery Hearn) have been removed from Corregidor, for use to enhance the building of a replica gun turret in the style of Ft. Drum. The replica installation is adjacent to a Roxas Blvd. tourist attraction known colloquially as Dolomite Beach - an artificial beach of processed quarry rock imported from Cebu. The project was slated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which does not own Corregidor. The haste of the project (it is slated by a DENR press release to be ready by 12 June) indicates that the pressure is as much political as it is patriotic. Those in any doubt of this can consult the DENR website. Corregidor does not have a unique status in the Philippines, for it shares that status with the country's premier War Memorial at Mt. Samat. Both Corregidor and Mt. Samat are protected by special legislations, and by the appointment of trustees with special governing rights and obligations. The obligations relative to Corregidor require the purpose of their actions and powers to be in the furtherance of tourism to Corregidor and to its heritage purpose. The two barrels are essentially being rebranded, and their Corregidor origin extinguished. The removal of these two barrels, for a purpose which is not the furtherance of the Corregidor's established purpose, is in our view ultra vires (beyond the powers) of those promoting it. In the absence of empowering legislation or specific Presidential Authority, it is an overreach. It takes Presidential Authority to overrule an earlier Presidential Authority. The removal of two barrels is not an insignificant matter, and the Corregidor Historic Society opposes it. It is not a matter of excusing the affair as being of a minor nature, for it is in breach of the fundamental purpose for which Corregidor has been preserved. This forum is not the world, it is our college, and our group is akin to a private lounge or living room, where members are invited for the purposes of self-education and reasoned discussion. It's our living room, not yours. You are here as an invitee. If you find yourself in disagreement with us, those disagreements need to be expressed respectfully. Running down a member is to run down the group and will not be tolerated. If it is that you believe objecting to the removal of one or two barrels is an objection too far, and that it offends your, go elsewhere. In a manner, we are fighting for the preservation of Corregidor with all that entails, and your opinion - to the extent it is contrary to the preservation (and enhancement) of Corregidor, is not the view of our members. If we don't fulfil your purpose, or measure up to your interpretation of what we are here for, then consider the door._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Please note: this editorial refers to no member who has posted to it. It was composed originally for Facebook, which is somewhat prone to dabblers, dilettantes and paid trolls.
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Post by EXO on Jun 8, 2022 17:40:14 GMT 8
THE TWO BARRELS AFFAIR - IMAGES TO PASTE ON FACEBOOK
fun to copy and paste!
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Post by Karl Welteke on Jun 8, 2022 22:02:45 GMT 8
The new guns of Manila Bay, 7th June 2022 These new guns were recently installed at the Dolomite Beach in Manila Bay next to the Roxas Blvd., close to the U.S. Embassy. The two gun barrels, gun tubes, came from Battery Hearn and Battery Crockett on Corregidor. They are being enclosed now to look like one of the two Gun Turrets on Fort Drum, the El Fraile Island, in Manila Bay. I just booked my next visit to Corregidor Island at the Corregidor Foundation Inc. (CFI) Bay Terminal at the CCP Complex and decided to have a walk to the Dolomite Beach and have a look. See the above entry about this DENR project. Some people think, say, it was not a good idea to remove these important WWII Battlefield relics from the Pacific War Memorial Zone on Corregidor; see the www. I suggest they call this new gun turret: “Battery Manila”. Zf659. The new gun emplacement in Manila Bay on the 7th June 2022; this is a project of the DENR Department. This project is shaping up like the one of the two Gun Turrets on Fort Drum, the El Fraile Island, in Manila Bay. Zf660. The new gun emplacement in Manila Bay on the 7th June 2022; this is a project of the DENR Department. This project is shaping up like the one of the two Gun Turrets on Fort Drum, the El Fraile Island, in Manila Bay. Zf661. The new gun emplacement in Manila Bay on the 7th June 2022; this is a project of the DENR Department. This project is shaping up like the one of the two Gun Turrets on Fort Drum, the El Fraile Island, in Manila Bay. Zf662. The new gun emplacement in Manila Bay on the 7th June 2022; this is a project of the DENR Department. This project is shaping up like the one of the two Gun Turrets on Fort Drum, the El Fraile Island, in Manila Bay. Zf663. The new gun emplacement in Manila Bay on the 7th June 2022; this is a project of the DENR Department. This project is shaping up like the one of the two Gun Turrets on Fort Drum, the El Fraile Island, in Manila Bay.
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