With that little distraction called the Miss Universe Pageant over, let’s now shift our attention to something more important. Let’s talk about the hostage drama at the Quirino Grandstand.
Official death toll is 9 including the hostage taker dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza.
What went wrong?
A lot of things. There’s Mendoza, who was undoubtedly already out of his mind the minute he decided to take innocent civilians hostage. Yes, Mendoza was crazy.
Then there’s the police. Its handling of the whole situation was a showcase of incompetence and stupidity.
Tell me if I’m wrong but there were several opportunities where the police could have incapacitated Mendoza. Just take a look at this picture from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Clear shot? Suspect all boxed in?
(photo from Inquirer.net)
Did that not give the PNP’s sharpshooters a clear shot at Mendoza?
But of course the police would say deadly force was their last resort. Well, I’m not talking about killing him right there and then although a bullet to Mendoza’s head would have instantly put an end to the crisis. I’m talking about shooting him in the legs or the knees just to incapacitate him. The fact that the shooter who eventually killed him was able to do so with a shot to the head convinces me that they could have easily done it.
Didn’t police also have other opportunities to just pull Mendoza out of the bus? How about incapacitating him with a taser?
Taser, taser, taser!
According to some reports, the responding police officers were actually hesitant to use any level of force against a former colleague. If this was true then the PNP really has a big problem. A crime was taking place right before their eyes and police were thinking about being “brothers in the service”. So is that how it goes? Porke’t kabaro naiilang kayong kumilos?
Other reports say those in command saw it fit to just let the negotiations continue because Mendoza was cooperating anyway. Sure. Negotiate all you want but when the opportunity to end the situation at once presents itself take it.
This brings me to the point I really want to make. It boggles me that the police considered negotiating with a crazy person and even allowed it to extend that long.
Incidentally, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo was quoted as saying in an interview before the whole situation escalated that the police was doing its job well. Robredo also said that it didn’t matter if the situation drags on for one or even two days as long the safety of the hostages was ensured.
Well, Mr. Secretary, see how that turned out — 8 hostages, 1 hostage taker killed.
I think the police failed to realize that they were dealing with someone who had lost his mind. Yes, Mendoza was crazy. How else can we describe someone who thought he could get himself reinstated to the police force by committing a crime?
And what about the media?
It was obvious the media was being its pesky self as usual. The media was there doing its job albeit somewhat mindlessly and apparently with no regard at all to the fact that lives were at stake. And while I would have preferred that the media acted a little differently, I would still blame the whole thing on the PNP. It was after all the authority overseeing the whole situation.
The PNP clearly still has a lot of things to learn.
incompetant people lead by an incompetant fool
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I put the blame squarely on the shoulder of the incompetent and coward President Noynoy Aquino. Where was the President of the Philippines during the Hostage incident? Frightened and cowering somewhere? It is a classic case of FAILURE in LEADERSHIP at its worst and highest level. The Police are just an accessories. The President of the Philippines, as its Commander in Chief, should had taken over and directed the Police to recue the hostages. Don’t put blame on somebody else. The Balme must be placed on the President; no more, no less.
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YOU! Reply:
August 28th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
And I put the blame on you!
See what I did there? Haha. YOU!
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PHILIPPINES AS A STOOPING GIANT (our country’s struggles against condemnations)
August 23, 2010, over 20 tourists, handled by Hong Thai Travel, were along Quirino Grandstand (one of the most historical places in the Philippines and in front of Rizal Park) when a seemed- to- be policeman entered their bus and announced a hostage. The hostage taker, former Sr. Insp. Rolando Mendoza, was on a grief against the Philippine Ombudsman for the result of his case that revoked his license and benefits as a Philippine Police.
The hostage drama took about 10 hours that ended in a brutal and bloody way leaving 9 dead including Mendoza. The blame is now on the shoulders of Philippine National Police whose faults were, “accordingly”, lack of equipments, skills, tactic/ strategies and a lot more. Today, the world sees them as GARBAGES and the Filipinos as IDIOTS.
For these, I, as a Filipino citizen, would like to correct everyone who speaks evil against my country and my countrymen at large. To curse us generally because of this tragedy is immoral. It wasn’t in our hands; I mean the whole of us. The issue was about the mistakes of the policemen present and involved in the catastrophe. Our role, perhaps and as our capacity was concerned, was to pray for the safety of the victims despite differences in nationality and faith. And, I assure you that we did (I, personally) because we’re believers of God.
After the tragedy, to be honest, I really felt sad and bad for the victims and for the relationship that might be broken between our country and the world. But, still, I prayed immediately for the souls of the dead and the recovery of the injured. I (maybe, we) also didn’t forget to pray for the forgiveness of the Chinese , British and other nationalities involved for the inadequacy that caused the loss of lives. With these, I AND WE FILIPINOS WOULD LIKE TO APOLGIZE. I know it isn’t that easy to accept this apology but PLEASE, DO NOT PUT ALL OUR KIND AND LOVING COUNTRYMEN INTO CONDEMNATION.
I stand correctly in saying that it is much immoral and brutal to speak evil against people who never harm you. The policemen involved who committed mistakes have been abducting lately; our president is despised; Chinese people are asking our government to fire some of our officials despite our government’s humble and caring treatment to the victims, to their families and to China. WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT? KILL US ALL? Now, THE WORLD IS HATING US. Even our OFWs in Hong Kong and in the other parts of the world are being belittled and discriminated for the accusation they didn’t want or do! THESE ARE TOO MUCH! I’ll be frank; CHINA AND THE WORLD OWE US MORE THAN THEY SHOULD HATE US. So, I guess, you have the right to be silenced when you think you are being uncontrolled.
First, when Chinese people come to Philippines, they are well-entertained that’s why we are known for hospitality. Most of them establish businesses and investments despite the resources they have in their own land. In spite of being new settlers, we buy their products. Issues like product contamination, giving cheap labor to Filipinos and even maltreating them, sprouted but, still, we revere Chinese nationals and treat them as guests. Most of them are one of the richest persons in our country and we are thankful for their help in our economy especially in employment. (My grandfather had been an employee of a Chinese businessman for long years). They are our TOP INVESTORS and one of our GREAT FRIENDS. WE TRUST them so much that many of us travel to China to work mostly as DOMESTIC HELPERS. Sad to say, several OFWs are being abused and maltreated there. When they get into the case, some of them are not minded. Things will end when they summon to our government and help them go back and sometimes, they come in their COFFINS. We never speak a single word against China and in fact, Hong Kong is one of our favorite places that some of us go there, at least, once a year. Cases like drug trafficking, maltreatment of Filipino workers and even their Filipino households, smuggling and selling of illegal products and services and other more are just few of the things that some Chinese do illegally in our country. To their luck, they are forgiven and sometimes, just overlooked.
We, Filipinos, even sympathize with Chinese traditions. We celebrate Chinese New Year that we even buy their traditional foods like TIKOY and MOONCAKE. We value these in as much as Chinese do. Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was also partly Chinese. The Chinese and Filipino people were, for a long time, good companions that both owed each other a lot. Nevertheless, what’s happening now?
I am, personally, dismayed for the too much evil feedbacks from Chinese citizens especially when I heard how they treat our OFWs in their country after this tragedy happened. ISN’T THIS IMMORAL?! I understand, of course, their animosity but not to the extent of cursing us as a whole. Think about the times when some of them aggrieved our fellowmen. Did we react to it in as much as they do to us now? After their words, do we stop buying their products and abhor Chinese settlers in our land? ARE WE NOT DOING EVERYTHING TO CARE THE VICTIMS AND PACIFY THEIR GRIEVES AGAINST US? ARE WE NOT STOOPING DOWN BEFORE CHINA AND THE WORLD? WE HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO SEVERAL CONDEMNATIONS FOR MANY DAYS ALREADY. MANY HAVE APOLOGIZED TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. WE ARE EATING THOSE HURTING WORDS! AND, NOW THEY EVEN WANT TO INTERFERE IN THE ACTIVITY OF OUR GOVERNMENT! THESE ARE TOO IMMORAL!
The world has done bad things to our country nevertheless, we remain bowing before everyone. Many try to cheat us just to get our precious properties like Spratly’s. They do anything to befriend us and we are always hospitable to them that is why some say we are FOOL. Yet, I’m sorry to say, YOU CAN NEVER PUT THIS SMALL COUNTRY UNDER YOUR HANDS!
Philippines is the home of great men. Philippines is the place where God truly works and cares. Philippines is the place where corruption, calamities and poverty take place but still stands in unity, courage and faith to face and succeed over these adversities. Philippines is one of the richest in natural resources, in labor force, in skills and sportsmanship, in bright minds that other countries love to hire us, in moral values that in fact we prioritize character building subjects (in fact, I am a volunteer teacher of Christian values), in quality education that foreigners come to study here in our hidden great universities, in generous, kind, hospitable, wonderful and beautiful persons, in loyal, hardworking, and dedicated servants that the world loves and whose services are unpayable, in languages that the world need for better globalization and again, in FAITH and God’s anointment.
We are the FILIPINOS OF HUMILITY and GREATNESS LIKE ANYBODY ELSE. Do not belittle the STOOPING GIANT.
I am not saying these to change the situation, to revenge, or to lift ourselves . I’m saying these to remind everyone of the value of forgiveness for we are all not perfect. I plead you not to destroy the relationship we have or curse our whole country for we are working hard to maintain our nation. Mistakes are inevitable though we really APOLOGIZE. Whether we were there or not, we APOLOGIZE. Let us preserve our friendship that stems centuries ago and do not pass the punishment to our innocent countrymen. Some maybe bad but the majority are friendly and good, I ASSURE YOU.
No nation with all people as evil remains standing. But we do remain because we are not evil as what you are thinking.
Again, WE APOPLOGIZE, PLEASE DO NOT OOZE OUT ALL YOUR GRIEVES TO EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTRY. DO NOT BE IMMORAL.
And, for some Filipino who TURN THEIR BACK TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY, I PITY YOU!
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS THE WHOLE WORLD!
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One of the Public Relation sanitizer of that coward and incompetent President. Noynoy Aquino is the Commander-in-Chief. Where was he during the hostage incident? He was nowhere to be seen.He was nowhere to be contacted. He was afraid to confront the situation. NO BALLS…Hey Dude: How much is he paying you? We don’t think as moronic, as you. If you think, I’ll believe your long story. You are mistaken. We are now the laughing stock of the world. Noynoy Aquino is the butt of jokes.
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You hate Filipinos for the hostage fiasco earlier this week, right? Then, should I hate Chinese people for the lead poisoning and melamine contamination? Wherein not only 8, but hundreds, even thousands have suffered. Is it right to blame the whole nation for a mistake of one man? If you do, then you are most certainly DENSE. No arguments. Just opinions.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:53 am
I don’t hate the Filipinos. I hate the incompetence and cowardice of the present President Noynoy Aquino. Do not divert the issue. Failure of Leadership is the issue here. Not: lead poisoning, melanine poisoning, Tienanmen Square killings, etc…Those are pasts, and has nothing to do with the recent Hostage incident. We are in the present. I hate: gross incompetence, cowardice; Presidents “na walang bayags”, people pretending to be able, etc…It is unfortunate that this tragedy had happened, Just about 20 Km. from the Malacanang Palace. And the President went into hiding? Nowhere to be found? Not to be contacted?
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Isabelle Garcia Reply:
September 4th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Excuse me..We’re not diverting the issue.In my opinion, isn’t it immoral that you call the President of The Philippines a “President na WALANG BAYAG”?And also, you’re calling him a mere COWARD right?Why can’t you just send a letter DIRECTLY to President Aquino and PROVE that you’re not just another person who keeps on saying things on the internet, but hence, cannot say it directly to the person he’s speaking of.Now, send him a letter.Tell him he’s a coward.But we, Filipinos would just like to inform you that he’s in a meeting that’s why he couldn’t be contacted.And, throughout the hostage-drama crisis, he has been monitoring the issue through television.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 2:05 am
If you agree with my opinion. Thanks. If you do not agree. Thanks. Monitoring the situation? Passively there in his room, Viewing? Why did he not retrun the call to Governor Tsang of Hong Kong, if he was really monitoring the situation? He was in a meeting? A crissis had come out. A deranged Policeman had taken Hostages. Threatening to kill the Hostages. Peoples’ lives were at stake. The International reputation of our country was at stake…His competency as a Leader was at stake. And, he cannot stop the meeting? NONSENSE…very shallow alibi. I believe more: he was petrifide of the situation. He was like a dog, with his tail between his leg…
beverly ann,
to whom is your comment directed at exactly? i ask because your comment is a little misplaced here. no one has said anything about hating filipinos in this space as far as i know.
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enough of the blaming.. i’m only 14 years old and i already know that it doesn’t matter whose fault it is.. what matters is how we can erase this bad reputation from the minds of billions and billions of people.. how? well, we can do a bigger good than this big bad incident we had. we should pray to God to help us accomplish this difficult task.. and lastly, why not show our love for our country even more? not by being belligerent citizens but by doing simple things like maybe sing the philippine national anthem loud and proud during flag ceremony.. if we do not love our country now more than ever, who do we expect to love it? see? why not do that? and not be so hysterical on the situation.. i idolize those who are showing their optimism by saying that this could have happened to any nation.. but i’m not encouraging anyone to actually do this sort of stuff. i love the philippines because it is THE PHILIPPINES.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
September 4th, 2010 at 12:54 am
God helps those who help themselves. Drive the incompetent and coward President out. Before, he can do more damages on the Philippines.
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Isabelle Garcia Reply:
September 4th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
OK, the President did failed to quietly put an end to the recent hostage-drama crisis, but not because he FAILED this time means he will always fail.No one is perfect dude.Everyone commits mistake if you know and Philippines is already damaged.Not because of President Aquino, but because of the billions of people who are continuously mocking the Philippines because of this incident.I mean no offense to the Chinese people who are still grieving over the incident, I cannot blame you.But, what we’re trying to say as a nation is that a case like the recent hostage-drama can happen everywhere and if its destined to happen it will definitely happen.This is an ISOLATED CASE.Nobody wants this to happen.And not because a Filipino did started that grievous incident means that all of us did it, including the President.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 2:08 am
He has already committed a lot of mistakes. He has shown gross incompetency. He is dishonest in projecting himself. He is more concerned in protecting Hacienda Luisita, and the KamagAnak, Inc…we don’t want this pretender in our midst…
kisskiss,
you probably are 14 years old if you think “it doesn’t matter whose fault it is.”
on erasing “this bad reputation from the minds of billions and billions of people”, this can be accomplished by simply showing the whole world that we truly learn from our mistakes and we become better with each and every trial.
prayer is good, but what we really need to do is to start acting correctly.
a lot of people whose heads are full of ideals, think the ultimate way of expressing one’s love for his/her country is by going through the motions of pseudo-patriotism. a perfect example of this is by going over the top in defending the country from criticisms no matter if these are valid enough to warrant serious consideration.
singing the anthem properly and all those things are important but more often than not most people do them superficially.
if you really love your country you’d help solve its many problems and that means identifying what’s causing these problems and if possible proposing solutions to them. another way is to apply your proposed solutions in your own life.
being critical is not exactly the opposite of being optimistic. these days however optimism has taken a new meaning… something like being oblivious to what needs to be changed and improved while being intoxicated with a misplaced and false sense of patriotism.
not that your age matters, but i doubt you really are 14 years old.
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Hyden Toro, you don’t have the rights to call our President a coward.He may have failed but that doesn’t mean that he will always fail.Everyone commits mistakes.No one is perfect dude, if you know that.You cannot solely blame the President because of the PNP’s failure to peacefully put an end to the hostage-drama crisis.Its an isolated case and nobody wants that to happen.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
September 6th, 2010 at 2:54 am
I was not responsible for Noynoy Aquino being a coward. He made himself a Coward. I am only describing, what he did during the Hostage Incident. Sorry, I cannot find any good term to call his behavior in any other way…He is a COWARD…so be it…
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the president has at least taken responsibility for the mishandling of the hostage crisis.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100903-290314/Aquino-takes-responsibility-for-hostage-fiasco
unfortunately, the timing of the statement is rather off as such i think it was ill-advised.
aquino should really start considering firing his advisers. they’re whole approach is amateurish and far from reassuring.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
September 5th, 2010 at 7:24 am
Noynoy Aquino should fire himself…negligence of duty; incompetence; cowardice are the serious charges.
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GENX Reply:
September 6th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Don’t act like you are right.
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Hyden Toro Reply:
September 7th, 2010 at 12:34 am
I’m not acting like I’m right. I’m only suggesting the right way to do with an incompetent and coward President. If you agree. Thanks. If not. Thanks, also…
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kim emelyn Reply:
September 22nd, 2010 at 3:24 am
dont directly judge the president.. after all he’s the ruler.. he may be responsible for it or not, still, it’s the great responsibility of the filipinos.. if your a filipino, better help to make the situation better, not to make it worsen.. your more coward than who youthink is….
Hyden Toro Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 12:38 am
Another brainwashed Aquino Yellow Horde…Noynoy Aquino brought these stupid actions on himself. I”m only describing them. Sorry, I can’t find better terms. I am a full blooded Filipino. Brought out and educated in the Philippines, and in overseas universities. I’m just awakening our people; from the Yellow Horde delusions.From the stanglehold of the vicious KamagAnak, Inc.-the Hacienda Luisita Mafia.