August 23, 2010, from morning to dusk, the whole world focused their attention on Quirino Grand Stand, Luneta, Manila through their televisions to witness one of the most horrifying hostage drama, if not in the whole world, then in the Philippine history. The hostages were Filipino and Chinese nationals aboard on a tour bus, the perpetrator was a "deranged" ex-policeman (who wanted his former job back), and the negotiators were ummm... how will I put this into proper context... clowns in SWAT uniforms. I'm sorry about that description, it may sound offensive but I'm entitled to my opinion anyway.
The incident was an example of wanton display of violence turned into some sort of a circus. It really made me wonder if our policemen particularly the SWAT knew by heart the special operating procedures, guidelines, protocol or whatsoever about hostage crisis management? It seems like they were following some sort of Jurassic-age protocol. They were like elementary kids playing hide and seek. Very disheartening. I must say that our government should look into the depth of the issue and learn from it. It's a wake up call for our government officials and likewise for our police authority to strengthen the preparedness of our law enforcers on different situations not only in hostage takings. Our policemen must be trained well, always updated with the new trends and technologies that will make their law enforcing effective (and safe to the public), they must know by heart the guidelines of protecting human rights, and yes, the government should find ways too to boost their morale.
Until now, I am still wondering where were the high ranking officials (e.g. the mayor of Manila, the heads of PNP, the people of DND) during the hostage ordeal? Supposedly, in critical situations such as this, there must be someone in position present and in control. Well it seems like they joined all the Filipinos in the whole archipelago staying at wherever they may be and glued themselves on their televisions watching the situation like it was just some sort of a Pinoy action movie. Even the President could not be reached by the ambassador of China (or Hong Kong) and the reason given was that he was so engrossed in a close door meeting with regards to how the situation must be handled. As the line of one of Paula Cole's songs goes: "Where have all the cowboys gone?"
The terrifying event became more of a fiasco with all the medias covering the incident inch by inch. It was more like a boxing event that each movement was analyzed to the point of exaggeration. It even came to the point that some media men acted like negotiators with all their phone interviews with Mendoza the hostage taker which supposedly should not be the case. With all their coverage of the incident, the media people failed to put into consideration that maybe the perpetrator was monitoring what was happening outside since most tour and airconditioned busses have television set inside thus giving him information that could help him plan for his next moves. In the effort of getting the most exclusive scoops just to raise their stations rating (let's face it, it's all about ratings!), the idea that maybe they are hampering the negotiation process didn't cross their minds. Shame.
The incident was an example of wanton display of violence turned into some sort of a circus. It really made me wonder if our policemen particularly the SWAT knew by heart the special operating procedures, guidelines, protocol or whatsoever about hostage crisis management? It seems like they were following some sort of Jurassic-age protocol. They were like elementary kids playing hide and seek. Very disheartening. I must say that our government should look into the depth of the issue and learn from it. It's a wake up call for our government officials and likewise for our police authority to strengthen the preparedness of our law enforcers on different situations not only in hostage takings. Our policemen must be trained well, always updated with the new trends and technologies that will make their law enforcing effective (and safe to the public), they must know by heart the guidelines of protecting human rights, and yes, the government should find ways too to boost their morale.
Until now, I am still wondering where were the high ranking officials (e.g. the mayor of Manila, the heads of PNP, the people of DND) during the hostage ordeal? Supposedly, in critical situations such as this, there must be someone in position present and in control. Well it seems like they joined all the Filipinos in the whole archipelago staying at wherever they may be and glued themselves on their televisions watching the situation like it was just some sort of a Pinoy action movie. Even the President could not be reached by the ambassador of China (or Hong Kong) and the reason given was that he was so engrossed in a close door meeting with regards to how the situation must be handled. As the line of one of Paula Cole's songs goes: "Where have all the cowboys gone?"
The terrifying event became more of a fiasco with all the medias covering the incident inch by inch. It was more like a boxing event that each movement was analyzed to the point of exaggeration. It even came to the point that some media men acted like negotiators with all their phone interviews with Mendoza the hostage taker which supposedly should not be the case. With all their coverage of the incident, the media people failed to put into consideration that maybe the perpetrator was monitoring what was happening outside since most tour and airconditioned busses have television set inside thus giving him information that could help him plan for his next moves. In the effort of getting the most exclusive scoops just to raise their stations rating (let's face it, it's all about ratings!), the idea that maybe they are hampering the negotiation process didn't cross their minds. Shame.
The said hostage crisis ended not like most action movies do in which the criminal got caught (or was shot dead) and all returned to normal then the credits appeared. It ended more like of a Shakespearean tragedy with most of the actors involved dead, in this case the hostages, and then the blaming starts (as usual).
What really made me pondered after this incident was the fact that a police enforcer had done such crime in broad daylight, alone and with less fear and hesitation. It made me think how a promising and a good public servant was pushed to do such despicable act. Was it really Mendoza's fault? Or was he just one of the victims in this tragic circus? Was the hostage taking that took eight innocent lives the action of a man whose sanity was ravaged by the injustice of our social system? Or was it the deed of a man with no conscience at all right from the very start? May the pointing of fingers for the sake of coming out clean by the entities involved will not cloud the thing that really matters as of the moment: JUSTICE.
What really made me pondered after this incident was the fact that a police enforcer had done such crime in broad daylight, alone and with less fear and hesitation. It made me think how a promising and a good public servant was pushed to do such despicable act. Was it really Mendoza's fault? Or was he just one of the victims in this tragic circus? Was the hostage taking that took eight innocent lives the action of a man whose sanity was ravaged by the injustice of our social system? Or was it the deed of a man with no conscience at all right from the very start? May the pointing of fingers for the sake of coming out clean by the entities involved will not cloud the thing that really matters as of the moment: JUSTICE.
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