Opinions: PNP's Ending Of Alvin Flores

Sunday, November 1, 2009

A few days ago, the Philippine criminal industry got a big bruise with the death of Alvin Flores. It was said that the PNP trailed Flores up to Cebu, where Flores and his cohorts apparently met their maker. No police violence here. The PNP was about to serve a warrant of arrest for Flores, said the police they got shot at first so they just returned fire.


Now I want to ask the PNP: Did Alvin Flores's robbing spree really need to last this long? I mean, they jacked up 27 establishments, almost on a monthly nationwide basis. With this breakthrough, it just shows that you can neutralize criminals if you really want to do it. It shouldn't take Ben Tulfo's blasting of Gen. Jesus Versoza everyday for you guys to make action. Really. It makes me think. Maybe the PNP Chief got tired of Ben Tulfo's whining or he really got fed up with Alvin Flores always challenging his manhood.

On the bright side, I commend and applaud the PNP for a job well done, although it took months and lots of jacked up establishments for them to make action. See, the PNP really does make our nation safer. Like they always say, don't be afraid of them. They're there to server and protect the citizens of the Philippines. There's the occasional corrupt cop, rest assured the PNP is eliminating them one by one. Bottomline: The PNP generally makes the Philippines a safer place.

Anyhow, Alvin Flores deserved to die in my opinion. He and his group always posed as authorities, essentially mocking our peace-keeping forces and tainting their name in the process. They could be classified as terrorists already, they are threats to peace and public order. This just shows how conniving and how shrewd criminal minds are. Fortunately for us more often than not, we only have simple-minded albeit very dangerous criminals. Imagine if we'd have criminals the caliber of the Unabomber - it may take us decades to solve those crimes partly because of technological limitations (in other words, we don't have the funds to spend on hi-tech crime-solving gadgetry) and partly because of innate procrastination. But who am I to judge? I'm also human and guilty.

To you criminals: Don't challenge and/or mock the PNP or anyone of authority for that matter. Don't resist arrest and especially not with guns - chances are you'll die. Lastly, and this is the best part, however smart you are, they're going to catch you sooner or later. You can run only for so long, but you can't hide forever.

Rumors are Alvin Flores's sister's going to take her place in the notorious gang-robbing group. Just try it sister. They're onto you.

I wonder if the cop who shot Alvin Flores received the P500,000 reward money.

'Till my next installment.

*Ben Tulfo is the host/producer ot the popular TV program Bitag and Bitag Live! which airs on IBC13 and UnTV respectively. You can catch him weekdays at 9am on UnTV and on Saturday at 8pm on IBC13.

Music: I Will Not Bow - Breaking Benjamin

For all those who still don't know who's Breaking Benjamin, better know them now. The video you're about to watch below is the OST of the movie Surrogates (starring Bruce Willis). Just recently watched it. It's cool, but that's another story. Now watch:



It's said that Breaking Benjamin (BB) makes one of the most emotional but musically diverse music. Their lyrics are always well thought of, their music is not too clean and not too dirty. Music speed goes from here to there then slows down. Add a few screams, musical perfection (depends on your taste). They remind me of Alkaline Trio, 36 Crazyfists and Senses Fail all at once.

Their fourth installment, Dear Agony, was released 29 September this year. Imagine, their fourth album. Now that alone says something. They're no one-hit-wonder. Listen to them.

'Till my next installment.

The New Nintendo DSi XL

It sucks when Japan always has the advantage of playing games and gaming consoles first than the rest of the world. It's because Nov.21st is the release of Nintendo's newest handheld member, the Nintendo DSi XL.

Europe, North America and presumably the rest of the world would have to wait until Q1 2010 for this one.


Specs are as follows:

Screen: 4.25-inch dual screens TFT CLC 260k (93% larger than Nintendo DSi)
Weight: 314g
Length: 91.4mm
Width: 161.0mm
Height: 21.2mm
Increments: Nintendo DS stylus 1pc, Nintendo DSi XL stylus 1pc
Battery life: 4-5 hours maximum brightness, 13-17 hours minimum brightness
Charging time: 3 hours
Slots: DS card slot, SD memory card slot, AC adapter, Stereo headphone/Microphone terminal
Initial colors available at release date: Wine red/Dark brown/Natural white
Release date: 21 November 2009 Japan, Q1 2010 NA/EU
Price: 20,000 yen ($220.50)

No new features except for the larger screen for better viewing angle (useful for people who'd huddle around one DSi XL), larger grip area and an additional new stylus. Basically just a DSi, but bigger. It's said to appeal to elderly people and those people who have difficulty seeing.

Many North American and European users are criticizing the DSi XL for its lack of improvement, some even going as far as saying Nintendo is mimicking Apple Co. or that it's turning into Activision. And with a price tag of $220.50, they say that "that's more messed up." Plus, users have been expecting the return of the GBA slot in this new Nintendo release, seems like Nintendo has denied them again. On the bright side, if people are gonna say "What a cuuuute pink DSi you have!", at least it's now called "Wine Red", not "Glossy Pink" no more.

'Till my next installment,

Music: Hero - Skillet

Saturday, October 31, 2009

If you're looking for a refreshing rock sound, better listen to this.



This song is entitled Hero from the album Awake by the band Skillet. I'm not entirely familiar with this band at all. Just saw it on Channel V Asia the other day. What got me interested at first was the fire and black background - reminds me very much of My Chemical Romance. Good video, good music. The lyrics also kind of hits you inside. Not to mention they're a Christian band. Nothing wrong with that.

Anyway, the album Awake was released way back August this year. Not too old not too new. Then again I wish them music video channels and FM stations play excellent music like this every other time if not frequently so we don't have to ream YouTube every month searching for good music.

Something to watch out for this November: Good Charlotte's new album. Forgot the title. Slated for release this month.

'Till my next installment.