My neighborhood is under lockdown
Right now, as I type this, nobody can enter or leave the neighborhood where I live in Davao City. There is an Armored Personnel Carrier parked in my driveway. The street is blocked by Military and Police on either end. The street is lined with military troops, with guns of course.
Why?
I have not mentioned too openly on this site (although I think I may have alluded to this in the comments, but Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. owns the house across the street from my house.
Right now, starting about an hour ago, the military, Davao City Police and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting a raid of the house. I don’t know for certain what they are doing, but my guess would be that they are searching the property for weapons. Previous raids on Ampatuan properties in Maguindanao have resulted in finds of huge stockpiles of weapons and ammunition. I surmise that they suspect that there may be a weapons cache in the house across the street from where I live.
I can’t say for sure, but from the looks of things, it would seem that these folks are here for the longrun too. It won’t surprise me if the troops are there all day long. We will have to wait and see, though.
As of now, all is safe at the Martin household. Although we have tried to keep a low profile, knowing that the house across the street is Ampatuan owned, we have not been scared. We have simply remained calm, not really talked much about the situation, and went on about life.
Interesting things here in my neighborhood.
For anybody who reads this and knows where I live, I think it would be best right now if you don’t mention the name of my neighborhood, for obvious reasons. So, if you leave a comment, please just don’t mention the neighborhood name. I think you for respecting that request. Other than that, though, feel free to discuss this.
Hi Wally-
I was watching “Meet the natives” last night from Travel channel. That was a hilarious Montana episode!
Hi Wally – My Dad’s family is from Montana, from Anaconda to be specific. I went to school at MSU in Bozeman too. I really love Montana a lot! I’ll look forward to meeting you if you make it to Davao!
HI Bob,
I,ve been in the Philippines ( Ozamis City ) many times now and married there this past summer .I follow your blog and commend you for finding your way here and being successful at what you do so well in such a beautiful place .
I’m from the US—Montana a very small town– Heron .It’s interesting because it’s so rural and the peoples from there ( for the most part ) would love the ones here and vice -versa for even there is more material goods and services –the culture of living with what you have and are dealt is the same.
I’ve never been to Davao , but if I do I’d love to sit and chat
The best to you and yours
wally
Hi Aussie Bob – It’s a good thing that I’m not a journalist, then!
I’d be careful if I were you Bob…journalists don’t seem to be the flavour of the month in your part of the world LOL.
Thanks for your tip, Jill, and I fully agree with what you said!
I spent my growing up years in the Ampatuan turf in Maganoy, now Sharif Aguak. After that, my family moved to another volatile area – Pikit, Cotabato. Just keep a low profile and treat everyone with respect, and you’ll be fine. You did the right thing. You’re a fast learner. Tomorrow is another day. God bless you and yours, Bob. Happy holidays!
Thank you Roger. Everything is back to normal now.
Ingat and God bless you and family.