Three years ago, on August
23, 2010, dismissed Senior Police Inspector Rolando Mendoza hostaged a tourist
bus at Rizal Park carried by 25 passengers including the bus driver. It took
more than 12 hours before resolved by the appointed rescuers Manila Police
District's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) with the help of District Police
Safety Battalion. This happening was then called, the Quirino Grandstand
Hostage-taking Drama.
Why would such incident occurred? Without any hesitation,
if only there was 'justice dismissal' on Mendoza's position, this should have
never happened. All he wanted was a fair hearing and opportunity to defend
himself. Also, to properly and lawfully hold on the court his position. He was
fighting for what he believes in and also for his right as a citizen of this
country. If only they were able to act upon it, no person should have been hurt
and died. No gunshot should have been heard along that road; no criticism
should have been talked against the Philippines. No chaos should have been
done. But unfortunately, it did.
It is true that "theories do not always work in
reality because they are based on ideal situations". As a mere internet
watcher, I do agree that it is very easy to say the do's and don'ts against the
rescue operators since I was not there. In fact, as we experienced nervousness
by only watching, what more to the rescue team being held responsible where
they can even die at that very day. Instead of talking against our co-citizen, focusing
what went wrong and judging their mistakes, onlookers like us should had given them words
of encouragement. I think, that's the best we could had help, at least.
In contrast, due to bad negotiations and miscommunications,
negative feedbacks were thrown against SWAT and DPSB. Many said that they were “bungled" and
"incompetent". Even our tourism was greatly affected. The Phil.
officials' poor handling of the incident as the cause of 8 hostages' deaths
identified by the Hongkong government. Therefore, Hongkong has issued 'black'
travel alert for the Philippines as a result of the affair.
Furthermore, it is very noticeable that the media got the
situation worse, in my opinion.Yes, it was the duty of the media to let the
citizens know what was going on back then but you see, they somehow got on the
way. Of course, Mendoza would surely be listening to the radio and tv while
inside the bus. So it made him flared up hearing what He doesn't want to hear nor
to do.Even before the bus' survivors be put in the medic and let the scenario
be cleared for a moment, the crowding of the media made no progress. The role
of it was supposed to lighten the hostage partake and to be the channel of
message between Mendoza and SWAT. But then, its impact had a big change indeed.
On the other hand, we have witnessed the unnecessary movements by the SWAT team
that was inevitable not to give critique. They were not skilled enough to save
all the passengers; not fully united and even shouted to each other that must
have been used 'signals' instead.
Hence, it was evident in this kind of incident that we still
lack many things, we cannot still manage to protect even our co-Pinoys against
an enemy. Why? Because we do not know how to discipline ourselves; we do not
care how valuable cooperation is not until we mess things up. We know
selfishness, corruption and fame existing but how do we respond on them? All
we've got is mere talking that unfortunately leads to misunderstandings,
sometimes.
Yet, we cannot undo this incident anymore. Because,
what's done is done. Nevertheless, there is so much to learn, I believe. Let's
hand in hand overcome every problem that our country has to face day by day. Let's
hand in hand plan for the future of the Philippines while we live today. Let
the lessons of this hostage take you home. Let this drama remind you to never
say never but to keep going. It's never gonna be late to change our history. As
long as time goes, our history continues. Always remember: 'It begins within
you!'.
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