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TechnoratiPolice admit mistakes in Philippines hostage crisis
Authorities in the Philippines admitted on Tuesday that they made mistakes during an attempt to rescue 15 Hong Kong tourists held captive on a bus, an operation that left eight hostages dead and one in critical condition. Philippine President Benigno Aquino has declared Wednesday a national day of mourning and pledged to launch an investigation into the incident.
The Philippine National Police said the assault team that led the rescue bid was inadequately trained, equipped and directed.
The ground commander failed to take control of the situation and his team, Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Philippines Institute of Peace, Violence and Terrorism, told RFI.
These failings angered the gunman - himself a disgraced former policeman - further, Banlaoi says.
Another crucial problem was the presence of the media as the hostage crisis unfolded.
Typically in a hostage situation authorities assign a media strategist to direct live coverage, in order to "deny the hostage taker vital information that might undermine the tactical operation of the assault team or negotiators," Banlaoi says.
Yet, he points out, on Monday the hostage taker was able to follow the police's operation step-by-step on the television set inside the bus.
In Hong Kong, protesters gathered outside the Philippine consulate to express their anger at the handling of the seige.
The city's government has issued a maximum alert against all travel to the Philippines.
"We demand that the Philippine authorities conduct a detailed and comprehensive investigation on the incident," said Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang.
Hong Kong will pursue those responsible "until the end", he said.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has promised a "thorough investigation". A high-level delegation headed by Foreign Minister Alberto Romulo will travel to Hong Kong in the next few days to explain what happened, according to a government spokesman.
Authorities are keen to appease Hong Kong's anger, reports RFI's correspondent in Manila, Girlie Linao.
The government has offered to pay victims' and relatives' expenses in the Philippines, and is assuring tourists that police will be increasing their guard against any more such incidents in the future, she says.
Comments (17)
Can this stupid argument
Can this stupid argument promote Philippine image? Can this incident attract tourist to Philippine? Do you know that this will cost your country hundred of millions dollars? Has there any hidden story behind the scene being covered up that this gunman must be died. As a result, the death of these innocent tourists are byproduct.
Philipine Hong Kong Tour Bus Incident
To Juan Dela Cruz,
May I just remind you that your so called theoretical explanation of non-sense "A tooth for a tooth" is not applicable in this situation. Do you and any of your people in Philipine understand the notion of "human lives and dignities", I assume not. Hence the country had selected such a useless president. Look at the photographs carefully of your kind. Smiling and taking photos infront of the tragedy like is a tourist area? Does it seem like this whole incident is a joke? Second of all, is NOT the Hong Kongese' faults that you filipino/filipina BEGGED to come to HK to earn money to send back to your corrupted country, get the fact straight. A LOT of people from Thailand or other countries don't mind coming to HK working as maid, we don't need you people. So if you think HK is that bad, take ALL of your however many filipina in HK back to your country and don't ever come back because you guys are no longer welcome. I believe in karma, and may i Wish with all my heart bad things will soon happen to you personally and your country and see how you guys like it.
My last and sincere recommendation is for you guys to invest yourself in some sort of education, maybe primary school will do. Even 6 year olds understand individuality and importance of respect, something you nor your fellow people understand. Perhaps in a few years down the road, someone will nuclear bomb your family or something =)
God bless
to you
Nuclear bomb your family? and you're talking about human lives,dignities and karma? what hypocrisy.
Lamentation for the Loss
It has been days since this tragedy happened, but the shock of this tragedy still resonates to everyone. I'm really sad to what happened.. my deepest sympathies go out to the victims and their family...
For HK people, they have the full right to feel angry to what happened. because of the incompetence of PH Police in their rescue operation... because of the wrong PH media coverage... because of the death of their people... for many reasons, its natural for them to be angry. However, it is wrong to put the blame to every single Filipino. Nobody wanted it. Nobody wished for it. Even locals in PH are angry to what happened for the same reasons and ashamed of the mistakes committed.
As for me... as a Filipino, though I don't have any authority of any kind to represent my country... I feel that I want to say my sincerest and humblest apology... words can never bare the weight of the sorrow for this unfortunate event. I lament for the loss with everyone, regardless of race.
Juan Dela Cruz are you human?
I am from Singapore, if a filipina tourist was held hostage here. I would expect my countries police force to do all its best to free him or her. It is a basic expectation of all host. Juan you really gave Philipine a bad name. Are you saying that all tourist to your country is to only to spend money there, and you do not care about their safety?
Who should take the most responsibility?
It is a tragedy. No matter victums and Hongkongers would never forget the date. But there are many questions here. Who should take the most responsibility? Philipine Government? Hong Kong Government? PRC Government?
Simply, Philipine Government did not take the hostage crisis seriously. How come SWAT was taking such piggy actions and spending over an hour to "finish" the rescue.
What was CE of Hong Kong Government doing during 10.30am to 20.30pm. Only giving call(s) to the president of Philipine Government. There was no further actions without getting any response. Hong Kong is an international city. Hunderd thousand medias and newspapers are located in Hong Kong as regional offices. Why didnt he hold a press conference to give a firm and strong message the president. He wasted almost 10 hours.
Under "One Country, Two Systems", PRC Government should take the fully responsibility and represent Hong Kong in the foreign affairs. I cant see any actions from Foreign Affairs Department of PRC Government. So-called a big country in Asia, she did not offer any help to the Philipine Government. In the past, The States Government sent US Navy to rescue the hostages in Philipines and African countries. There have been many examples that other governments, such as France and Germany, sent armies to rescue hostages overseas.
ridiculous
Juan dela Cruz......you just showed everyone that what kind of people were being raised in Philippines. That's why you have a President who kept smiling when he had the press conference talking about the death of these innocent people.
SHAME ON U and SHAME ON YR COUNTRY
Please do not say that. A
Please do not say that. A tragedy has happened and people have been hurt deeply. Innocent people! Please do not breed hatred. We are not animals that we should respond to this injustice with another injustice.
I as a student and citizen in the Philippines think we should form a petition for an immediate formal and solemn apology to the Chinese/Hong Kong people.
Let us pray to God that the right steps be taken and that the government would find the wisdom that would soothe the grievances of the Chinese/Hong Kong people. I cannot imagine what they are going through. It truly is traumatic. My sincere condolences to those affected.
May God be with everyone as we walk through these difficult times.
Philippines, please change!
How can u compare apologizes to a staff with this hijack tragedy?
I think Filipino need better education, need better government, need to understand the world and human life.
They should make better live to their citizen, so they don't need to travel to be a maid even if they graduated in University.
From my heart, Philippines, please change!
no apologies
hong kong never apologizes to the crimes committed by its citizens to their filipina maids so the philippines should NOT apologize nor explain to the hong kong authorities regarding the hostage crisis victims. a tooth for a tooth!
hong kong must realize that this things happen everyday and everywhere so hong kong must grow up and accept that fact.
How can u compare apologizes
How can u compare apologizes to a staff with this hijack tragedy?
I think Filipino need better education, need better government, need to understand the world and human life.
They should make better live to their citizen, so they don't need to travel to be a maid even if they graduated in University.
From my heart, Philippines, please change!
I understand how you feel! As
I understand how you feel! As a filipino, I feel the same anger towards the hostage taker and the police. But nit all filipinos are like these men. Most filipinos are God-fearing and peace-loving. Are all people in your country the same? Aren't there good and bad people too in your country?
Wake up Juan Dela Cruz. This
Wake up Juan Dela Cruz. This issue is not related to maid abuse in HK.
Eight lives had been lost due to the in competencies of your government and your police force!!
This drama reflect badly on the Philippine government and you as a citizen.
No wonder your country is so messed up and having cowboys running around ready to shoot innocent people.
I will skip Philippine as my tour destination at all cost. By the way I am not from Hong Kong.
I agree with you 100% By the
I agree with you 100% By the way, I am from the Philippines. I often go to Hong Kong, as well. Let us just recognize that anywhere in the world there are evil men, Philippines, Hong Kong, everywhere.
No, not all filipinos represent the hostage taker! We hate and condemn the incident like you. We wished it didn't happen.
maybe you should apologies
maybe you should apologies for being so shallow. "a tooth for a tooth" then go and get a gun and shot yourself. This incident cannot be compared to crimes commited to filipina maids and for your lack of knowledge for a small mind that you have, all so called crimes commited to filipina maids are trialed and dealt with, that is the fact
Hk is a neutral place and to have HK citizens involved in your domestic problems is a joke. He should of gone to your home and hijacked your family which would make more sense if i was so dumb and insenstive as you.
please do not reply, i do not want to write further as i can go on forever. just go and get a life as i have no time for someone who does not know what they are talking about.
you are ignorance and retarted !
Philippine government FAIL to train the SWAT TEAM into reasonable responsibilities,which is supposed to safe guard all human kind including your citizenship fellows and all others nationalities inside the country.In these statement from you can just show how "IGNORANT AND MENTALLY INCAPABLE" you really are.Personally conflict among maid and boss happened everywhere,maid in Hong Kong killed a female boss a few months ago, Hong Kong government did not ask Philippine government to apologize and the case was indicted by police to the court.If you act and talk so stupidly, I think you do deserved to be treated like a dog sh*t.By the way, how old are you, you talk like you brain is only 5 years old !
The hostage taker and the
The hostage taker and the boss who beats up his maid are the same. They are both bad people. If you are good like I am good, it's up to us to make the world a better place to live in, no matter what nationality you are.
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