As I start this piece, I find no words to sum up the tragedy yesterday, August 23. Maybe because I am disappointed with so much things and my heart is saddened and mourning for the lives and experience of the victims.
I am a Filipino. I am proud to be one. But being proud doesn't mean I am biased with my country. What happened yesterday really captured my thoughts as I keep on thinking, what seems to be the problem? What is the problem? Whom to blame? Eleven long hours- the hostage taker, the hostages, the policemen, the Filipinos,and the whole world, waited for eleven long hours just to witness dramatic bloody end. It was long enough to settle such incident to something peaceful- that is how I see it. Of course, it easy to say but if only proper measures were followed, it wont end that way.
The late Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza needed to be blame. He is the cause of this. Though he had his reasons, yet, no matter what the end is, it does not justify his means. Maybe he felt he need justice or impartiality on his case, being an inspector/policeman, he should know very well, that crime should be out of his means. The incident will never accept an excuse.
The policemen needs to be blame. Of course, not all blames should be given to them. I find it shameful that the Philippine National Police showed the whole world how unprepared we are for such incidence. No matter how isolated the case is, the PNP as the home of security of the people should always have a strong means to defend its people. They should be the experts of weapons and tactics to ensure that lives wont be taken...especially the lives of the ordinary people, the victims.The PNP logged far behind from the policemen of other nation. Though a lot of mistakes were seen, still, I know it is not easy to be in their situation risking their life. But I remain with my former opinion regarding the PNP in general.
The media also took responsibility. Even media experts commented about the live forecasts. I know, it is their business to update people, but it is another story if lives of the hostages are at risk. The media even reported detailed movements of the PNP, and even unrelated reports just to say something over the air. The bus has its own television that would give the hostage takers the idea about the move of the policemen, to know what happens around, and also to know the situation of his family members. It is expected that if the hostage taker doesn't like what he sees and learns from the media, he will show violent response. And that reality gave risks to the hostages. I hope the media will read and analyze what they're doing. And never forget the term RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM.
The government, on the other hand, also has to be blame. There should be a quick response intelligently. They should have instructed the army men, the NBI, the military, all the forces that will help them. In situation like this, unity among these troupes is really necessary. the government, should also took his sensitive response to the media reports and have blocked live telecast of the incidence.
The justice, the root of all of these. Justice and impartiality, the demand of the hostage takers. This is the very reason why people were placed or forced to be in situation like this just to fight for their rights. I hope in the future, there will be no more rebellion. That is, if justice is really present.
One day after the sad fate of the hostage taking in Quirino Grandstand, I can feel the emotions of the Hong Kong nationals especially for their fellowmen who were the victims. I know it is just right for them to feel anger because the lives of their love ones were taken brutally. But I stand, that no one wanted this to happen. And thus, the Hong Kong nationals should not stereotype Filipinos and should not put their anger to the ordinary OFWs.
This piece is not to pin point those whom really to blame. This is again an opinion and is subjected to my personal point of view. This piece aim to make us realize where we really are now. The effect of such moves. The cost of such actions. I hope this tragedy will give us lessons, rather than merely criticize.To criticize isn't bad if in each criticism that we lay, we learn and thus, never do the same mistake again.
August 23 Tragedy, whom really to blame?
Josh=)
August 24, 2010
