WAN

We're not the pirates you're looking for:

It's a lesson in misrepresentation. Zamboanga is located at the Southern tip of the Mindanao peninsula - and its proximity to no-go conflict ridden Basilan separated by a stretch of narrow sea highlights the situation that dominates the South of the Philippines.

If you bring a camera to the South and choose your shots carefully you can actually constantly show photos of task force checkpoints, roadblocks, camouflaged stations with MG teams, security teams & Marines with M-16s, carbines, shotguns, HKs, 9mms, revolvers, M-14s, even WWII era M1 carbines. The airport welcoming dance (happens twice a day) can be shot through the gates on the other side, and even hotel lobbies can be shot through security guards who pack 9mms. They guard everything from Jollibee outlets to Dunkin Donuts to Mister Donuts to the other Dunkin Donuts on another block next to another Mister Donut. No idea why (about the donuts not the arms). In Manila they even help open the door to Starbucks. That's an unfair statement - Manila is very safe and if you ever happen to go there, do make a trip to Remedios Circle or the Green Belt or High St and see all the beautiful people there, who thought me and my colleague were either Korean or Japanese. Apparently the Koreans 'run' parts of the area - if you know what I mean. Just don't go there and act like a dingbat.

There are hardly any white faces in Zamboanga - presumably persuaded not to go any further South than Cebu by other tourists.

Even all 6 or 7 pages of the Zamboanga Times are laced with reports of conflict and operations by the Marines & Navy on Basilan and Jolo. The danger is undoubtedly real - but in Zamboanga, mere miles away and a prime jump-off point for flushing out operations which involve U.S. advisors it seems slightly far off. I say slightly because the actual shoot will involve a trip to Jolo, the seat of power of the historical Sulu Sultanate and one with people so proud that they have declared this the 617th

(have to proof check) year of independence - from the 300 or so years of the coming of the Spanish conquistadors, then 50 years of American occupation, eventually resulting in the formation of A.R.M.M. (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), recognizing their own sovereignty over themselves, separate but still a part of the Philippines. This is a region where churches meet mosques at its finest - and the similarities are compelling. But that's another story.

What we know is that in Jolo where we'd eventually be shooting in next month we have to blend in - head scarves, regular clothing, no camo prints (a problem now as I have 200 different camo-ed items - different designs even), no watches or jewelry. We'll be staying at the councilor's resort - and on a pre-planned trip to a nearby island for footage we'd be accompanied by armed guards for us and the councilor's family, our own SG film crew, Filipino production management & cam asst crew, possibly 10+ people from the councilor's own entourage and our Zamboanga interviewee. Add the Filipino Marines in their gunboat who're escorting us and we'll be a traveling circus act. Only difference is we're armed to the teeth.

At least we'll get to hear the councilor sum it all up about the 'treaties' between the Sultanate and the Spaniards -

"We recognise their supremacy - not their sovereignty..."

Now that's a bottomline.

more photos here.