Blood on your hands, Boss chief

WARNING: Blog contains some photos that are quite graphic. Please exit my page if you can not handle it. Thank you! Should you proceed, you have been warned…

Prologue: I had coffee with my friends to de-stress after a manic Monday in school. On my way home, I was silently walking and was singing a song inside my head. A frap with friends did its magic on me because it uplifted my spirit. I passed by the tricicyle terminal in our subdivision when I heard a part of the news about a hostage situation. I didn’t stop by to listen more thinking it was just another attention-seeking person who wanted media exposure. I got home, watched the television until it was news time…

Apparently, the hostage situation started early Monday morning while I was in school. I totally had no idea of what was going on until I saw it on the news. The attention-seeking person turned out to be a former policeman in Manila who was dismissed from service because of extortion. He demanded that he be reinstated to service. The man’s name was Rolando Mendoza, a policeman for 30 years. According to reports, he was a good man doing his service with utmost dedication. Sure, the man may have had his lapses but we should’ve listened to him at the least. Kulang lang siya sa panguunawa at pansin. I fully understand where he was coming from. It pains me that this man died a very painful death.

I was never a fan of hostage crisis. I remember I was caught in traffic for a M-A-J-O-R exam because of one hostage crisis. The professor did not believe that I got late because of the commotion caused by Jun Ducat in 2007. He seized the entire bus containing little tykes because he wanted reforms in the education system. The desire was there, it was for a good cause but the means was just utterly wrong! Kung hindi ako pinayagan kumuha ng exam at kung hindi ako pumasa, siguro habang buhay kong minumura si Ducat dahil sa ginawa niya. You can never get anything good from hostaging that’s why I never understood the essence of it.

Sure, Mr. Mendoza might have had his demands but I do believe that all of these were negotiable. However, we failed to give him that. Nagmatigas ang kabilang panig. We should’ve known better that we are at his mercy. We did not give in to his demands the main reason why he held these tourists as hostage. Screw negotiation! May naidulot ba itong maganda? WALA!!!

What triggered the man to run amok was when the police seized his brother. How they treated him was very inhuman! Kahit sinong kapatid magagalit sa ginawa ng pulisya! Respeto na lang sa kapwa tao. Gregorio Mendoza is also a policeman. Yung respeto na lang sa kapwa pulis eh. Walang-wala.

Captain Mendoza started to shoot randomly inside the bus. The bus driver was able to escape and told the police that everyone inside was already dead. The assault team now advanced toward the bus. It took them over an hour before the siege finally ended. It was the longest torture I have ever experienced. My knees weakened when the driver said that everyone is dead. Deep inside my heart, I was praying may this be a speculation only.

A total failure on the part of the SWAT. Misters, what the f*ck were you doing?? Where is crisis management and strategic plan? Tira lang kayo ng tira wala namang kwenta. There could have been a gazillion and one ways to solve this crisis in which could’ve turned out pretty well but we opted to do it the other way around. We opted to risk the lives of the hostages and hostage taker.

Eight of the tourists died, three under observation, four injured and heavily traumatized. The hostage taker sustained eight shots, one in the head that probably killed him. =(

These people who died were all victims. Yes, including Mr. Mendoza. These Hong Kong nationals were merely exploring, enjoying and perhaps adoring our beautiful land and this is what we give them in return – hell on earth. What a way to treat them. =(

My sadness is beyond words with what happened last night. The sky wept for all those innocent victims and I joined the sky weeping. Never have I been ashamed of being a Filipino until two incidents, one of which is this. Masakit man sabihin, sana Pinoy na lang yung sakay nung bus. Para kahit papaano sariling mamamayan natin yun. In my opinion, it would have lessened the shame. It’s blood on our hands. The world is watching the country intently. There are a few countries that followed the lead of Hong Kong with regards to raising a travel ban here. ‘Wag na natin intindihin yung mawawala na kita eh, yung takot na lang na dinulot natin sa mga turista na dapat dadayo dito. The name of the Philippines itself was put at stake. =( That reason alone brings shame to my brown complexion.

Boss chief, people expect you to protect them from harm. We didn’t expect that in your hands would be blood shed by these innocent tourists. =(

From the bottom of my heart and with all sincerity, I am sorry because our citizens screwed up BIG TIME. We are at your mercy that deep within your hearts you may be able to forgive us one day. I am extremely sorry young lad, it is because of us that you are now an orphan =( I am one with your grievance and suffering mother for you have lost your husband, two daughters and now your son is in the ICU. May he survive this dark stage.

Everyone is to be blamed for this tragedy. Mr. Mendoza for hostaging this particular tourist bus so as to be heard of his complaints. The PNP for being so reckless of all their actions especially in times of crisis. The SWAT for their inept strategy and moves. The media for aggravating the situation because of their coverage. The bystanders who caused difficulty on the part of the rescue team. We all had our part, so it is our duty as Filipinos to bring back the glory and dignity that was lost because of this very sad outcome.

Let us be one in prayer for all the people who have passed away in this hostage crisis. God bless the Philippines and its people.