Hostage Crisis in the Philippines

Nine lives of Chinese-Hongkong nationals were wasted due to the hostage drama staged by a deranged-relieved senior police officer named Rolando Mendoza last August 23rd, 2010 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines.

When I saw the news happening on TV Patrol (ABS-CBN), alternately changing it to GMA News, 204 Oras, too;  I've noticed that the slow action of the assigned Manila police SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team delayed the saving of those 9 lives.

As the very nervous bus driver ran out from the bus yelling at the bystanders, media and police assault team that all the passengers were killed, the slow action of the SWAT team became noticeable and earned much ridicule from fellow Filipinos, the Chinese citizenry and other nationalities from around the world.

This became another dark night to all Filipinos, inside and out of the country.

There are many meaning of SWAT (Special Weapons and Assault Tactics) proliferating in the internet these days. Some of them are: Sledgehammer Whacking Assault Team...Sugod-Wait-Atras-Tago and othert negative comments.

In turn, many police officials are resigning voluntarily these days and some are forcibly relieved from the service due to the shame they've brought to the Philippine image in the world.

With the absence of several assault gears, like head mask and breathing apparatus, overall fighting gear, head lights and the like...how could they master such crisis if they didn't have the necessary equipment.

Sorry is not the right answer at this moment. Philippine delegation is already at the Hongkong soil. We just hope that diplomacy and respect will still prevail between China and Philippines.

And the training of police authorities should not be taken lightly.

Right now, I am in doubt that a "sincere " apology from the present administration headed by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and his cabinet members will be able to pacify the roaring anger and hate of the Chinese populace to the Filipinos, as a whole.

I cannot even think of any digestible reasons why the dead hostage taker, Captain Rolando Mendoza claimed innocent lives when his demands were not answered by the government instantly.

Right after the incident, one thing I've noted from the news was that:

1. The Hongkong government abruptly issued a blacklist advisory to all Chinese tourists excluding the Philippines from their itinerary.
2. One Chinese employer immediately fired his Filipino employee and sent back to our country.
3. Hate and personal biases to almost all Filipinos are spreading in many social networking sites, especially Facebook and Twitter, calling us again "monkey" and other hate words.

The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) noticed the immediate dropping of the number of foreign tourists who are visiting the country. Some immediately withdrawn their tickets and desire to visit us in this moment of crisis.