[45kB 640x480] A sign of the disputed ban for bikes on highways in Philippines.

Wed, 4 Apr 2001 01:50:41 +0000
From: simon @ millennium-ride.com
To: sponsors @ millennium-ride.com

Expressway Correction

Sorry I made a big mistake when reporting on the discriminatory expressway ban for motorcycles here in the Philippines.

There was no bribe or 'inducement' offered to the judge in this matter. If it was as simple as that, the riders would have paid up long ago. It was simply an option that was at some stage discussed then later dismissed. Sorry if this caused unnecessary confusion.

[54kB 640x427] Simon in front

Expressway ban - your help needed

Whether you are a riders' rights organisation, club, or individual rider, the Freedom Riders Philippines ask you to help.

Send an official letter to protest against the discriminatory ban. Address it to "The Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines", care of James Mirasol, Freedom Riders, 2217 F. Zobel St., San Miguel Village, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines.

[73kB 640x427] Simon 2nd left

Mention that you know that the ban is illegal since it contravenes the written law, and dangerous because side roads are lethal. (See www.motorcyclephilippines.com for more info). That is why you have ruled out the Philippines as your holiday destination for the foreseeble future. Got it?

We'll be notifying rider organisations separately in more detail on this. Tell me if you want a copy of these more detailed instructions. The more letters the better. Philippino officials are highly susceptible to adverse international publicity.

Medecins Sans Frontieres in trouble again

That they dislike adverse intl. publicity is confirmed by a newspaper report I read last night on the plane coming back to Manila (Luzon island) from Bacolod (Negros island). It was called 'In the hell of Manila'.

MSF here was strongly denounced last week by government organisations in the Child Welfare Organisation when an Italian TV documentary showed their work with Manila street-children. Some kids are put in crumbling prison cells with no toilets and leaking roofs living in their own excrement. At home they can be abandoned, exploited or sold. In rich countries they are tortured and raped. A father set fire to his 2 year old daughter as punishment for putting something in her mouth.

Compounding this monstrous state of affairs, government bodies criticise MSF for telling the truth, rather than use it as a positive catalyst for change. Yes the Philippine government is susceptible to international opinion.

Children are our future We teach them right and our world will be right. Thank God for MSF who aren't afraid to speak out for fear of reprisals, at least someone is doing it. MSF is one of the beneficiary charities of Millennium Ride fundraising, I'm glad I chose them.

Wallet thing

I lost my wallet yesterday. What a jerk. I'm sure it happened when I fell aleep for a short time on a bus.

Bang goes about $250 (the last thing I needed to happen), credit card, vaccination record, health certificate, 2 international and one British driving licence, bike registration certificate, international certificate of motor vehicles, and a very sweet gift from Julie in Scotland: a four leaf clover.

Thanks Mum for trying to get the documents replaced (it was great to talk to you yesterday). Also to Philip and Tina Garcia of the Thunderbugs MC who have got a message out on loal radio offering a reward for return of as much of it as possible.

[55kB 640x480] Simon and Mad Dogs motorcycle club in Manila Philippines

I just came back from a meeting with Manila-based Mad Dogs MC, briefing them on globalisation and its associated threats.

There are far bigger issues than wallets don't you think?