Aquino orders charges over hostage tragedy

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Monday ordered charges to be filed against Manila's police chief and three other law enforcement officials over their handling of a deadly bus hijacking in August.

Aquino also called for lesser charges against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and a deputy ombudsman but spared his closest aides after studying an official inquiry into the incident, which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.

The hostage fiasco, in which a disgraced policeman took over a tourist bus in Manila, soured relations with Hong Kong and Beijing and proved an embarrassment for the president in his first months in office.

"The message has to be sent... when you accept the perks and privileges of the office, the duties and responsibilities are equally accepted by you. You are responsible for your failure," he said, referring to the policemen.

Aquino said "appropriate charges" including serious neglect of duty would be filed against the head of the capital's police force, the district police chief, the head of the special weapons and tactic (SWAT) team and the police hostage negotiator.

However his key aides, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno escaped any official sanction with Aquino saying he had instead decided to "admonish" them.

"All of us are people, none of us is perfect," he said, explaining the lack of charges against the two, who are responsible for overseeing police matters.

Another close Aquino aide, then-national police chief Jesus Verzosa, who retired early after the hostage debacle, was also spared any court proceedings because he was found not to have violated any rules, said the president.

The media, including two radio broadcasters who were accused of having worsened the crisis by interviewing the hostage-taker, were also spared.

Aquino said the broadcasters displayed behaviour that was "irresponsible, bordering on the criminal", but he said his government did not want to limit the freedom of the press.

The hostage-taking on August 23 saw a sacked police officer seize a busload of Hong Kong tourists in a desperate bid to get his job back and be cleared of extortion charges.

Eight of the tourists and the hostage taker were killed and seven tourists wounded when police commandos launched a bungled rescue attempt in a drama played out live on television.

To assuage the outrage in China, Hong Kong and the Philippines, Aquino created a high-level investigation panel to look into the incident and recommend who should face charges.

The panel in late September recommended charges be laid against a dozen people including Interior Undersecretary Puno, former national police chief Verzosa, Mayor Lim, many of the policemen involved and two broadcasters.

However the president told reporters on Monday that he ordered charges to be filed only in cases where he was confident of a court conviction. (Agence France-Presse)

Manila bus hostage media chose 'ratings above lives'

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine reporters may have interfered with a police operation when reporting on a bus hostage crisis that killed eight Hong Kong residents, a television journalist told an official inquiry Wednesday.

Reporter Erwin Tulfo, in telephone contact with a sacked Manila policeman shortly before the gunman shot his hostages, acknowledged the behaviour of the journalists who covered the crisis raised ethical questions.

"The problem is, we are all chasing ratings, exclusivity. My colleagues may not admit it, but that was the main thing, getting an exclusive report," said Tulfo, testifying at a high-level official inquiry.

Armed with an assault rifle and a pistol, sacked policeman Rolando Mendoza took the busload of tourists hostage on August 23 in a desperate bid to clear himself of extortion charges and get his old job back.

Eight of the tourists were killed and seven others were injured in the central Manila standoff.

Teresita See, a representative of the Chinese-Filipino community and a member of the inquiry board, told Tulfo he and the other reporters airing the standoff live on television or radio may have violated broadcast ethics.

See said the broadcasts that aired around the world may have tipped off the hostage-taker about the movements of the police unit that eventually stormed the bus, while Tulfo hogged a telephone line being used by police negotiators.

"You tied up the open line of the hostage-taker for almost one hour, at the most critical hour," See said.

As the police negotiator was trying to offer a compromise deal, Tulfo's Radio Mindanao Network was giving Mendoza a live platform as he made a verbal threat to kill the hostages that was later carried out, See said.

"He wanted to grandstand and you provided the arena for that," See added.

After initially defending his actions, Tulfo, the chief reporter for Manila-based Associated Broadcasting Co television and also a reporter for the Radio Mindanao Network, later said that in hindsight media should own up.

"Madam Teresita Ang See was right when she was saying that something's wrong with the media," Tulfo said.

"From my point of view there's a lot of things to be changed," he added.

Representatives of the radio station earlier told the inquiry on Tuesday that they had violated no law or broadcast ethics in their reportage of the standoff.

The inquiry, which was due to wind up later Wednesday, has uncovered a litany of mistakes by police and other officials assigned to handle the hostage crisis.

On Tuesday the Philippine government said the media has agreed to new restrictions on covering police operations -- including limits on live broadcasts.(Agence France Presse)

Tsinoy, nakisimpatya sa taga-Hong Kong!

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 31, 2010) – Nakisimpatiya ang mga Tsinoy sa Zamboanga City sa madugong sinapit ng hostage-drama sa Maynila na kung saan ay 8 mga Hong Kong tourist ang napatay.

Nag-alay pa ng mga kandila ang mga Tsinoy kamakalawa ng gabi sa isang rotunda sa Zamboanga City at nagdasal pa kasama ang ilang mga kilalang personalidad.

Napatay ni dating police officer Rolando Mendoza ang mga Hong Kong tourists nuong nakaraang linggo matapos na mapanood sa telebisyon sa loob mismo ng binihag na bus sa Quirino Grandstand ang pagdakip sa kapatid na pulis na si Gregorio Mendoza.

Pilit na isinasabit ng pulisya ang kapatid ni Mendoza sa hostage-taking at sinabing “accessory” ito na mariing itinanggi naman ni Rolando. Binihag nito ang tourist bus upang ipabatid sa publiko ang umano’y maling paratang sa kanya.

Tinanggal si Rolando sa serbisyo matapos na maakusahan ng robbery at extortion at kahit napatay ito sa failed rescue at assault ng Special Weapons and Tactics ng Manila Police District ay patong-patong na bintang pa rin ang ibinabato ng mga awtoridad sa kanya, kabilang ang isa umanong rape case na matagal ng naganap. (Mindanao Examiner)

(Manila Hostage-Drama) Transcript of hostage-taker's last radio interview: ABS-CBN

MANILA, Philippines - A transcript of hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza's last conversation with a radio broadcaster showed that he was willing to die during the August 23 hostage incident in Manila.

Mendoza talked with Radio Mo Nationwide (RMN) anchor Michael Rogas during the 11-hour hostage incident at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

In one part of the interview, Rogas asked the hostage-taker if he wanted food brought to the tourist bus for himself and his 25 hostages.

Mendoza answered: "Ako po ay nakalaan na akong magutom. Kanina pa 'ko hindi kumakain dahil alam ko na magiging sitwasyon sa buhay ko. Handa na kong mamatay ngayong araw na 'to."

(It's OK for me to go hungry. I haven't eaten because I know what my situation in life will be. I am prepared to die this day.)

He also revealed that he had spoken to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and told her that she would be at fault if anything bad happened to the hostages. Mendoza had asked the Ombudsman to dismiss all the cases against him.

"I talked to Gonzales and Gutierrez and told them: You are at fault if this gets worse," the hostage-taker told Rogas.

Below is a transcript of Mendoza's RMN interview as aired on a GNN report.

MICHAEL ROGAS: Captain, sa papaaanong paraan po ninyo gustong matapos itong isyung ito, itong sitwasyong ito? (Captain, how do you want this issue, this situation to end?)

MENDOZA: Ayun nga, yung Ombudsman, ang sabi, re-review-hin, rerepasuhin. Ang gusto ko, dalhin nila rito ngayon ang order kung ako’y talagang dismissed. Yung final order nila na ako’y dismissed o na-issue-han ng dismissal order. Yun ang gusto kong mangyari: final order. Yung ginawa kanina, sulat lang ‘yun. Para ako’y ma-satisfy sa harap ng aking in-laws. Hindi tama ‘yun, mali ‘yun.

(They said the Ombudsman will review my case. What I want is for them to deliver the order if I’m really dismissed from service. The final order, saying I’m dismissed or was issued a dismissal order. That’s what I want: final order. What they delivered earlier was just a letter. For me to be satisfied in front of my in-laws. That was wrong.)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Kapitan, meron po kayong pakiusap sa pamamagitan po ng RMN, nakikinig po ang mga pulis ngayon. May pakiusap kayo sa pulis, lalung-lalo na dun sa mga sniper?

(Captain, is there anything you want to tell the police? They are listening to the RMN radio station right now. Do you have anything to say, especially to the snipers?)

MENDOZA: ‘Yang mga sniper, pag hindi sila nagsialis sa kanilang mga pwesto ay sasampolan ko sila. Ii-snipe-in ko ‘kako itong nasa pintuan.

(These snipers, if they won’t go away, I’ll give them a sample. I’ll shoot this one at the door.) Note: Masa Tse, the tour guide, was handcuffed by Mendoza at the door of the bus. He was eventually killed.

MICHAEL ROGAS: Ok, sa oras na ito, na quarter to seven na po ang oras dito po sa aming himpilan. Quarter to seven na ng gabi. Ano na po ang huling desisyon ninyo? (Ok, it’s now quarter to 7 p.m. What is your final decision?)

MENDOZA: Eh wala na po. Kasi nakikita ko ang dami nang SWAT na dumarating. Ang daming SWAT na dumarating, nakikita ko sa palibot. Ako naman, alam ko papatayin din nila ako. Kaya magsialis na sila dahil anytime, gagawin ko din ‘yun dito.

(I see a lot of SWAT coming. Many SWAT members are here, I see them all around. I know they are going to kill me. They should go away because anytime, I’ll do the same here on the bus.)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Sino na po talaga ang gusto ninyong makausap maliban po sa media?

(Who else do you want to talk to besides the media.)

MENDOZA: Eh yung pinaka reliable. Yung totoo ang sasabihin sa 'kin kasi ayaw ko yung sinisinungalingan lang ako.

(Someone who is really reliable, who will tell me the truth. I don't want someone who will just tell me lies.)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Sino yun? (Who is that?)

MENDOZA: Media. Media lang din. (Media. I just want the media.)

At this point of the interview, Mendoza is watching on TV the arrest of his brother, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza.

MENDOZA: Oh, yung kapatid ko nakikita ko, bakit nila ginaganyan? Akong may kasalanan dito, walang kasalanan ‘yan! Walang kasalanan ‘yan. Ipakita niyo na pinakawalan ninyo kapatid ko! Ipakita nila, pagka hindi titirahin ko ang mga nandirito sa loob!

(I can see my brother, why are they doing that? I’m the one at fault here, not him! He’s not at fault. Show me that he’s being freed! Show me or else I’ll start shooting the people here!)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Kalma lang po… (Please remain calm…)

MENDOZA: Sabihin mo sa kanila, sabihin mo sa kanila ‘yan! (Tell them that, tell them that!)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Opo, tinatawagan na po. (Yes, we’re already calling.)

MENDOZA: Ipakita nila, ipakita nila dito sa kaliwa, sa kaliwa! Makita ko sa kaliwa ng bus. Palakarin nila ang kapatid ko diyan! Pagka hindi… ito, talagang ano. Aanuhin ko dito lahat-lahat.

(Show it, show it at the left! Make sure I see it at the left side of the bus. Make my brother walk away! Or else, I’ll… I’ll…)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Opo, tinatawagan na po namin ang PNP. Easy lamang po. (Yes, we’re already calling the Philippine National Police. Please take it easy)

MENDOZA: Wala naman kasalanan yang kapatid ko. Hindi nila alam ang pangyayari dito. (My brother is not fault. They didn't know what's happening here.)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Kalma lang po tayo dahil kami na po ay nakikipag-ugnayan na po sa PNP. Humuhupa na rin naman po ang mga pulis, ano po. (Please stay calm because we are now contacting the PNP. The police are also starting to calm down...)

MENDOZA: Ayan o, binibitbit ‘yung kapatid kong pulis. Walang kasalanan ‘yan, bakit nila bibitbitin yan? Sasabihin nila, accessory, hindi accessory ‘yan! Ako lang mag-isa ang gumawa nito. Ayan nakikita ko. Nakikita ko ‘yung ginagawa nila sa kapatid ko, ayun o! Pulis yan eh, walang kasalanan ‘yan! Walang kasalanan ‘yan!

(There! They’re arresting my brother who's a cop. He’s not at fault, why are they taking him? They’d say, accessory, he’s not an accessory! I’m the only one who did this. I can see it. I see what they’re doing to my brother. He’s a cop, he's not part of this. He’s not part of this!)

MENDOZA: Pakawalan nila ‘yan, pagka hindi, eto, babarilin ko ‘yung nasa unahan! Sabihin mo sa kanila. Sabihin mo sa kanila. Ayan o, nakikita ko rito, ayun o, nasa TV. Ginagawa nilang baboy ang kapatid ko na pulis! Walang kasalanan ‘yan! Hindi niya alam ang pangyayaring ito. Ngayon niya lang nalaman sa TV. Bakit nila gaganyanin? Wala ‘yan. Walang kasalanan ‘yan!

(Let him go, or I’ll shoot this one at the door! Tell them that. Tell them that! I’m seeing it here, it’s on TV! They’re treating my policeman brother like a pig! He’s not at fault. He doesn’t know anything. He knew this just now on TV. Why are they doing that to him? He’s not a part of this!)

MENDOZA: Ayun o. Ito, lalala lamang ito sa ginagawa ng mga pulis na ‘yan! Sabihin mo sa kanila. P*tangina! O, hindi nila pakakawalan ‘yan? P*tangina! Oh, babarilin ko na ito! Pakawalan ninyo ‘yan! Babarilin ko na ito!

(This will only get worse because of what the police are doing! Tell them that! [expletive] They won't set him free? [expletive] I’ll shoot this person! Set him free! I’m going to start shooting!)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Sandali po. Huwag po kayong magpapaputok. Captain Mendoza… (To Erwin Tulfo) Pakibilisan lang yung ground commander…

(Hold on. Do not fire your gun. Captain Mendoza… (To Erwin Tulfo) Erwin, please hurry to the ground commander…)

MENDOZA: Ayan pinosas na! ‘Pag hindi nila pinakawalan ‘yan, babarilin ko na ‘to! (They already handcuffed him! If they won’t set him free, I’ll shoot this person!)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Captain Mendoza, tinutulungan na po namin kayo… (Captain Mendoza, we’re already helping you…)

MENDOZA: Wala dinederetso-diretso nila. Pag umalis at hinuli nila kasama ang kapatid ko, babarilin ko yung nasa unahan, Babarilin ko na 'tong lahat-lahat. (They just went through with it. If they go away and bring my brother, I am going to shoot the one in the front. I am going to shoot everybody.)

MICHAEL ROGAS: Captain Mendoza! Captain Mendoza!

At this point, Mendoza is no longer speaking to the interviewer as a commotion ensues inside the bus.

He later told the interviewer that he had shot 2 of the Chinese tourists and that he would kill everyone on the bus if the SWAT team does not go away.

MENDOZA: Binaril ko na yung 2 Chinese. Pagka hindi nila binago yung ganitong sitwasyon, ako mamamaril dito sa loob. Uubusin ko 'to! Uubusin ko pagka hindi sila tumigil ng kakatakbo diyan sa gilid. Uubusin ko to!

(I shot 2 of the Chinese. If they don't change the situation, I'm going to start shooting in here. I'll finish off everyone! I'll kill everybody if they don't stop running beside the bus. I'll finish off everyone!)(abs-cbnNEWS.com)


Link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/08/30/10/transcript-hostage-takers-last-radio-interview

Key tourism event to push through despite Manila hostage-taking tragedy

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 26, 2010) - Despite fears that Monday's tragic hostage-taking fiasco would discourage foreign visitors to Manila, a key international conference and tourism event is set to push through next month.

In a statement, Ikebana International said it does not expect any cancellations by foreign delegates to its four-day 11th Asian Regional Conference in Manila to foster peace, friendship and love through flowers.

"We are praying for the victims of the horrible (hostage-taking) tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones," said Evangeline Cheng, president of Ikebana International's Manila Chapter 108.

Cheng said participants and guests from Hong Kong are among the 300 foreign visitors slated to arrive for the conference.

"We also have confirmations of attendance by delegates and guests from Japan, India, Taiwan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, the United States, Germany and Italy," Cheng said.

Cheng expressed hope that the conference would "somehow help create better understanding," particularly between the Chinese residents of the former British crown colony and the Filipino people.

Eight tourists from Hong Kong were killed in the highly publicized hostage-taking incident.

Ikebana International is a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciatiation of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement.

Consistent with Ikebana International's aim to unite peoples of the world through their mutual love of nature and enjoyment of flowers, "Oneness" or Pagkakaisa is the theme of the Manila conference.

President Benigno Aquino III is the invited guest of honor at the opening of the September 23-26 conference at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

The huge international gathering is the country's first major tourism event since Mr. Aquino assumed office.

The event includes exhibitions of flower arrangements, a grand demonstration, bazaars and a city tour with barrio fiesta.

Ikebana International's Manila Chapter 108 is conference host, with Cebu Chapter 145, Davao Chapter 133 and Cagayan de Oro Chapter 163 as co-hosts. Celia Guevarra-Lazaro is conference chairperson.

The Manila chapter was established in 1966 by Carmen Guevarra, with Rose Avancena, Virginia Avancena, Remedios Cepeda, Dolores Luz, Jane Markusson, Gloria Monzon, Pilar Relova, Carmen Roces, Asuncion del Rosario and Susie Winternitz as founding members.

Police Chief Orders Probe On Bloody Manila Hostage-Drama

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 25, 2010) – The Philippine police said it is investigating what went wrong to the bloody end to the hostage-draw in Manila that left 8 Hong Kong nationals dead and several more wounded, two of them seriously.

A former police captain, Rolando Mendoza, who was accused of robbery and extortion, took a tourist bus and held its two dozen passengers, mostly Hong Kong holidaymakers, hostage on Monday morning near the Quirino Grandstand.
He then demanded a government review of all charges against him, saying, he was innocent.

Nine of the Chinese hostages had been freed, but the rest were shot either by Mendoza or police commandos who assaulted the bus. The hostage-taker was eventually killed in the assault later in the night.

Earlier in the night, policemen arrested a brother of the hostage-taker, Gregorio Mendoza, after he was accused of instigating and agitating, instead of convincing the armed man to surrender peacefully, according to Director Leocadio Santiago, chief of police forces in the National Capital Region.

The arrest of Mendoza’s elder brother may have prompted him to shoot the hostages. Mendoza’s brother told reporters that policemen would kill him after accusing him of conspiring with the hostage-taker, an accusation he vehemently denied.

Moments after the arrest of the hostage-taker’s brother, several shots rang inside the bus. Mendoza’s brother and wife were in the area to convince him to surrender peacefully.

“The outcome of the hostage taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand is indeed very unfortunate that should warrant a thorough investigation. It saddened me deeply that lives were lost in the process. Indeed no words can assuage the trauma and grief that the victims and their families are now experiencing.”

“We will continue to work closely with other government agencies to make sure the victims and their families get the necessary services that they need while still in our country,” said Jesus Verzosa, the police chief.

“In the meantime, we will hold passing any judgment on what went wrong or what went right until we receive the final report from a team of experts who will look into all circumstances surrounding the hostage taking incident,” he added.

Media reports on Wednesday said several commandos who participated in the bungled assault had been suspended pending the outcome of the investigations. (Mindanao Examiner)

Bus Tragedy a Sad Reminder of a Society Mired in Despair: Jakarta Globe

In the 1994 film “Speed” starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, the entire premise was captured with one memorable line: “There’s a bomb on the bus!”

In the 2010 hostage situation drama broadcast live from the Philippines on Monday, the memorable quote may as well have been, “There’s a bum on the bus!”

Rolando Mendoza, 55, a former police officer who claimed that he was wrongly relieved of his duties, held 22 tourists from Hong Kong and three Filipinos hostage on a bus in central Manila.

The standoff lasted for close to 12 hours and ended with at least nine people dead, including the hostage-taker.

The situation illustrates the dysfunction that pervades so much of Filipino society. Here’s why.

The media. They should have exercised more restraint. There should have been a media blackout or a delay in the live broadcast. It was reported that Mendoza was able to monitor what was happening on TV inside the bus.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility in the Philippines has guidelines on their Web site regarding how media should behave during a situation like this.

These include provisions on live coverage as the situation unfolds, not getting involved in the action and refraining from inflammatory language.

But these guidelines were ignored. We saw everything unfold, scene by scene, and one journalist even reportedly helped with the negotiations.

Viewed from afar, we can only imagine what the live commentary was like — a whole lot of speculation disguised as intelligent analysis.

A friend on Twitter said that one local channel described how Mendoza’s brains were scattered onto the floor. Far from a relevant observation, the comment smacks of a reporter desperate for a colorful quip.

The police. They did not have the necessary equipment and did not wear protective gear. They did not have a procedure to keep the media and onlookers out of the way.

And the situation lasted for 12 hours. How something can last that long and still end with people dead is mind-boggling. Saying the negotiations did not go well would be putting it mildly.

Then there’s Mendoza, the person who caused the whole calamity.

A former police officer who was once named one of the 10 Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines, he received at least 17 other recognitions for his service before he was cashiered over a misconduct charge, which apparently set off his rampage.

The government. At the height of the situation, as it lead newscasts around the world, the central government did not speak.

Instead, viewers were regaled by actor-turned-Manila-vice-mayor Isko Moreno, who gave an incoherent interview in English to CNN.

He obviously didn’t know what happened with the negotiations, but nonetheless weighed in on the matter, live.

The people. Bystanders milled around the scene of the standoff, despite being fully aware of the gravity of the situation. They did not stand back and let the police do their job.

One person was reportedly hit by a stray bullet, yet others have the gall to blame only the police.

When the hostage crisis came to its bloody finale, the onlookers crowded around the bus. Some even took photos. They should have cleared the area and let the hostages be evacuated in safety.

Even the driver added to the mayhem when he climbed out of the bus and reported that everyone else was dead, instilling further panic.

The aftermath. In the end, it was sad day for my country because we have once again starred in a laughable — and live-televised — parody of how we work out our problems.

Even sadder is the idea that somehow, Maria Venus Raj, who competed in the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas on Tuesday, would help improve the sorry reputation of the Philippines after the latest mess. Raj was a trending topic on Twitter alongside the hostage situation.

When we look to a beauty pageant as redemption for national tragedy, there is truly something wrong.

In the end, all Filipinos have to share the blame, because each of us has helped contribute to the country’s current state with our apathy.

We look out only for ourselves, our families and our friends and not don’t seem to care while others suffer. All of us are guilty in one way or another.

We need discipline. We need restraint. We need to follow the laws. Things are messed up, but we shouldn’t give up.

We have already taken a step in the right direction by exercising our right to vote this year, even though it meant sacrificing our personal comfort by registering and lining up for hours.

But most of all, we need to put a stop to our sense of entitlement, the idea that we deserve better even though we don’t help to make things better.

It is this attitude that is, little by little, sinking the Philippines into the depths of despair. (Amee R. Enriquez, a Filipino national, is an editor with the Jakarta Globe.)


Link: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/opinion/bus-tragedy-a-sad-reminder-of-a-society-mired-in-despair/392631

Maoist rebels brand "colossal stupidity" how Manila handled bloody hostage-drama

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 24, 2010) – The underground Communist Party of the Philippines on Tuesday branded as “colossal stupidity” how police and government officials handled the hostage-drama in Manila that left at least 7 Hong Kong nationals dead.

It said: “Government and police officials failed to draw out the hostage-taker through negotiations. Police actions, including the arrest of his brother and nephew later in the day, only drew the ire of the hostage-taker and made worse the situation."

The Communist Party of the Philippines, which is fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country, said the fumbled police assault resulted in unnecessary bloodshed.

"Colossal police incompetence was highlighted in almost every aspect of the hostage crisis. The Filipino people are dismayed at the monumental foul-ups and deplore the incompetence and stupidities of government and police in handling the hostage crisis," it said.

It was referring to the bloody end of the hostage-drama that also killed Rolando Mendoza, a former police captain. Mendoza was shot in the head and body near the bus’ front door where he fought it out with commandos. At least 15 people were held hostage by Mendoza, officials said.

Mendoza, who was dismissed from the service after being accused of robbery and extortion, hijacked the bus on Monday morning. Mendoza later demanded that he be reinstated to the police service after denying all accusations against him.

At least 9 people had been released earlier on Monday by Mendoza and the bus driver escaped later in the night after jumping out of the window.

Earlier in the night, policemen arrested a brother of the hostage-taker, Gregorio Mendoza, after he was accused of instigating and agitating, instead of convincing the armed man to surrender peacefully, according to Director Leocadio Santiago, chief of police forces in the National Capital Region.

The arrest of Mendoza’s elder brother may have prompted him to shoot the hostages. Mendoza’s brother told reporters that policemen would kill him after accusing him of conspiring with the hostage-taker, an accusation he vehemently denied.

Moments after the arrest of Mendoza, several shots rang inside the bus where the tourists were being held by the former cop. Officials said Mendoza hijacked the bus to air his gripe. His brother and wife also urged him to surrender peacefully.

Hong Kong on Tuesday has warned Chinese nationals against travelling to the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)

Philippine hostage-taker killed

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 23, 2010) – Police commandos have killed a former officer who took hostage over a dozen Hong Kong nationals in Manila after a firefight late Monday.

Former police captain Rolando Mendoza, 55, was shot in the head and body near the bus’ front door where he fought it out with commandos. The hostage-drama came to an end with officials saying several of the hostages were alive.

A civilian was wounded after Mendoza fired his automatic rifle indiscriminately on commandos trying to get inside the bus.

After the firefight, at least eight hostages were seen being rushed to waiting ambulance cars. At least 15 people were held hostage by Mendoza, officials said.

Mendoza, who was dismissed from the service after being accused of robbery and extortion, hijacked the bus on Monday morning. Mendoza later demanded that he be reinstated to the police service after denying all accusations against him.

At least 9 people had been released earlier by Mendoza and the bus driver escaped later in the night after jumping out of the window. He was quoted as saying that the remaining captives had been shot and killed.

Earlier in the night, policemen arrested a brother of the hostage-taker, Gregorio Mendoza, after he was accused of instigating, instead of convincing the armed man to surrender peacefully, according to Director Leocadio Santiago, chief of police forces in the National Capital Region.

The arrest of Mendoza’s elder brother may have prompted him to shoot the hostages. Mendoza’s brother told reporters that policemen would kill him after accusing him of conspiring with the hostage-taker, an accusation he vehemently denied.

Moments after the arrest of Mendoza, several shots rang inside the bus.

Officials said Mendoza hijacked the bus to air his gripe. His brother and wife also urged him to surrender peacefully. (Mindanao Examiner)

Commandos storm tourist bus, fire stun grenade

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 23, 2010) – Police commandos fired stun grenades inside a tourist bus in Manila where over a dozen Hong Kong tourists were being held hostage Monday, but there were no signs that any of the captives are alive.

Sporadic firing can still be heard from inside the bus where a dismissed police officer, Rolando Mendoza, accused of robbery and extortion, hijacked the vehicle and held its passengers hostage.

At least 9 people had been released since early this day and the bus driver escaped later in the night after jumping out of the window. He was quoted as saying that the remaining captives had been shot and killed.

No officials would confirm the report until commandos take control of the bus.

Earlier in the night, policemen arrested a brother of the hostage-taker, Gregorio Mendoza, after he was accused of instigating, instead of convincing the armed man to surrender peacefully, according to Director Leocadio Santiago, chief of police forces in the National Capital Region.

The arrest of Mendoza’s elder brother may have prompted him to shoot the hostages. Mendoza’s brother told reporters that policemen would kill him after accusing him of conspiring with the hostage-taker, an accusation he vehemently denied.

Moments after the arrest of Mendoza, several shots rang inside the bus where the tourists were being held by the former cop.

Officials said Mendoza, armed with an automatic rifle, hijacked the bus, mostly carrying Hong Kong students, to air his gripe. His brother and wife also urged him to surrender peacefully. (Mindanao Examiner)

Police arrest brother of Philippine hostage-taker

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 23, 2010) – Philippine policemen arrested Monday evening a brother of a former cop who is holding over a dozen Hong Kong tourists in Manila.

Director Leocadio Santiago, chief of police forces in the National Capital Region, said Gregorio Mendoza, also a policeman, was taken into custody after he accused him of instigating instead of convincing the hostage-taker, Rolando Mendoza, an ex-police officer, to peacefully surrender.

Moments after the arrest of Mendoza, several shots rang inside the bus where the tourists were being held by the former cop.

It was unknown whether any of the hostages were shot, but police commandos opened fire on the tires of the bus immobilizing the vehicle. The bus driver was able to escape after jumping out of the window, leaving the hostages behind. Their fate is unknown.

Mendoza, an officer of the Philippine National Police, was removed from service after he was accused of robbery and extortion, among others. But he denied all the charges against him and said he was wrongfully dismissed from the service.

So far at least 8 hostages had been freed by the hostage-taker, Rolando Mendoza, and police continue to negotiate for the safe release of the others, including several Filipinos.

Officials said Mendoza, armed with an automatic rifle, hijacked the bus, mostly carrying Hong Kong students, to air his gripe. His brother and wife also urged him to surrender peacefully.

Police forces have surrounded the bus and ready to strike if peaceful negotiations fail. (Mindanao Examiner)

Pagsibak Sa Manila Police Chief, Hinarang Ng PNP!

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 30 Mar) - Hinarang ng liderato ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang pagsibak kay Manila Police District Director Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarsoza kasunod ng mga naging kapalpakan sa hostage crisis sa Maynila.

Sa pulong balitaan, sinabi ni PNP Chief Director General Oscar Calderon na hiniling nito kay Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno ang pagpapaliban sa administrative relief na iniatas para kay Abarsoza.

Katwiran ng heneral, makabubuting bigyang-daan muna ang pagsisiyasat ng inatasang grupo sa naganap na insidente at nang makapagpaliwanag si Abarsoza sa sinasabing procedural lapses sa pangangasiwa ng hostage drama.

Masyado aniyang kritikal ang posisyon ni Abarsoza upang basta na lamang tanggalin sa posisyon.

Pumayag naman kanina si Puno na ipagpaliban muna ang pagsibak kay Abarsoza.
Gayunman, nilinaw ni Puno na hindi pa rin tuluyang ligtas sa pananagutan si Abarsoza dahil magpapatuloy ang imbestigasyon sa kanya nang pumalpak sa pangangasiwa ng 10-oras na hostage drama.

Pinagbigyan ni Puno ang kahilingan ni Calderon para sa deferment sa katwirang nasa kalagitnaan ng panahon ng eleksyon at maaaring masira ang implementasyon ng security plan sa Maynila.

"Upon the request of PNP Chief Calderon in a letter to me, I have deferred the order to relieve Senior Supt. Abarsoza considering that we are now in the middle of an election season and Abarsoza is already in the midst of implementing his security plan for this critical period.”

"We will give him a chance to air his side in connection with his handling of the hostage situation," ani Puno.

Subalit, tuloy naman ang naunang direktiba ni Puno na pag-alis sa puwesto kina MPD Station 5 commander Superintendent Rogelio Rosales at police precinct commander Chief Inspector Bernardo Cubacub.

Kasabay nito, pinatatahimik rin ni Puno ang mga opisyal ng pulisya sa pagbibigay ng komento sa naturang isyu at hayaang matapos ang imbestigasyon ng panel na pinamumunuan ni Deputy Director General Avelino Razon.

Iniutos nnaman ni Calderon ang pagsasailalim sa retraining ng lahat ng mga tauhan ng MPD hinggil sa hostage crisis management.

Matapos ang MPD ay isusunod na rin ang iba pang kapulisan sa Metro Manila at sa buong bansa.

Handa naman si PNP National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Chief Director Reynaldo Varilla na maimbestigahan sa anumang posibleng pananagutan sa naganap na hostage crisis.

Si Varilla ang maituturing na pinakamataas na opisyal ng PNP na nasa lugar ng insidente ng panghohostage subalit nabigo umano itong ma-organisa ang krisis at nagkaroon pa rin ng maraming kapalpakan.

Iniligtas ni Varilla si Abarsoza na aniya'y naging maayos naman ang pangangasiwa nito sa naturang pangyayari at ang mga isasagawang pagsisiyasat ay hindi naman nangangahulugan na kailangang magdiin ng opisyal. (Juley Reyes)

Manila Police Chief, Sinibak Sa Puwesto Dahil Sa Hostage-Drama!

QUEZON CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 29 Mar) – Sinibak kanina sa kanyang puwesto ang hep ng Manila Police District matapos ng halos 12 oras na hostage-drama na naglagay sa bansa sa matinding kahihiyan sa buong mundo.

Inaprubahan ni Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno ang pagkakasibak sa puwesto ni Police Senior Superindent Danilo Abarsoza bilang hepe ng Manila Police District.

Katwiran ni Puno, nagkaroon ng procedural lapses sa pangangasiwa ng hostage drama sa Maynila kahapon matapos na bihagin ni Jun Ducat, 56, ang mahigit sa dalawang dosenang bata at guro sa labas lamang ng City Hall ng Manila.

Una ring inamin ng Philippine National Police (PNP) na nagkaroon ng ilang kapalpakan sa hostage crisis management matapos na mabigong makontrol ang publiko bukod pa sa hinayaang may makialam na politiko bilang mga negosyador.

Bagamat hindi aniya masisisi sina Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. at dating gobernador Luis Chavit Singson na makialam sa krisis, hindi na sila dapat pinayagan ng pulisya.

Idinagdag pa ni Puno na hindi rin nasunod ng MPD ang standard operating procedure (SOP) na iakyat sa crisis management committee na pinamumunuan ng alkalde ang anumang hakbang sa nasabing insidente.

Pansamantalang papalit kay Abarsoza ang deputy nito na si Senior Superintendent Antonio Decano. Kasama ring nasibak sa puwesto ay ang Station 5 Commander ng MPD na si Sr. Supt. Rogelio Rosales.

Sinabi rin ng Malakanyang na dapat patawan ng parusa si Ducat sa kanyang kapangahasan. Ngunit mistulang bayani naman si Ducat -- na may isang day care center sa Barangay Parola sa Maynila -- sa maraming mga nakakakilala dito dahil kapakanan ng mga bata ang tanging hangad nito.

“Full criminal justice will be brought to bear upon the hostage takers, while attention will be given to the plight of the kids and their families. We must now leave this unfortunate incident behind and not make heroes out of wrongdoers, which will only invite others to do the same,” ani Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye.

”It is bad enough that young lives were put at risk. Let us not turn this into a political game,” dagdag ni Bunye.

Samantala, hindi matatanggap ni Puno bilang isang uri ng pagiging bayani o ala-Robinhood ang ginawa ni Ducat.

Bagamat malinis aniya ang intensyon ng hostage taker para sa kapakanan ng mga mahihirap, maliwanag na may paglabag ito sa batas at pagiging terorista ang kanyang ginawa.

Ipinagsigawan rin ni Ducat ang talamak na korupsyon sa bansa at kawalan ng pag-asa ng maraming mamamayan dahil sa matinding kahirapan. Nailabas sa CNN, BBC, ABC, CBS at iba pang mga dambuhalang television network sa mundo ang buong hostage crisis na isinisi naman ng mga militante sa Pangulong Gloria Arroyo.

Umapela ang kalihim sa publiko na huwag papurihan si Ducat sapagkat delikado ang naging hakbang nito para sa buhay ng mga inosenteng bata bukod pa sa sinabotahe ng suspek ang kampanya ng pamahalaan sa peace and order. (Juley Reyes)

Manila Hostage-Drama Ends, Gunman Killed

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 14 Mar) - Elite policemen on Wednesday shot dead a former soldier who took hostage four people inside a court room in the Philippine capital, ending almost 24 hours of drama and tense negotiation, officials said.

Officials said Almario Villegas was killed after a SWAT team stormed the Taguig City Justice Hall after he failed to surrender peacefully. The man, armed with a small handgun and a grenade, had repeatedly threatened to kill all hostages if policemen get near the building.

Television news footage showed Villegas dead and lying in a pool of blood inside the hall after the attack. Villegas took hostage a woman, two court employees and a lawyer during a court hearing over a land dispute case involving one of the hostage.

It was unknown how Villegas managed to sneak the gun and grenade inside the court. During the negotiations, Villegas also demanded three million pesos for the safe release of the hostages. (Mindanao Examiner)