Bishop: There should be no whitewash in hostage probe

In a memorial service on Tuesday for the victims of the August 23 hostage crisis in Manila, a bishop said there should be no "whitewash" or concealment of defects in the investigation of the incident. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo made the call in his homily during the Mass and memorial service at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, where the hostage incident took place last week. After the Mass, Pabillo blessed the site of the hostage incident. On August 23, a dismissed senior police inspector, Rolando Mendoza, hijacked a tourist bus in front of the Quirino Grandstand and held hostage 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos. After an 11-hour standoff, Mendoza and eight Hong Kong tourists were killed. “This terrible case is also calling out to heaven for justice. Not only the Chinese are calling for a just and swift investigation of this case. We Filipinos demand the same from our officials. Bring out the truth let those who are responsible whoever they may be be held accountable. No whitewash. No scapegoats. Let there be new life for our justice system," Pabillo said in his homily. “We offer therefore this sacrifice of God’s love for the eternal repose of those who have lost their lives, for healing among the survivors, to beg for mercy and understanding and forgiveness from God, and from those who have been grieved, and to call for new life from all of us. May those who have suffered and died not have so in vain. May their sacrifice made holy by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ bring healing and new life to us," he added. During the Mass, Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr. sat beside Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao. Justice Sec. Leila de Lima, Tourism Sec. Alberto Lim, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim also attended the event. Members of the Filipino-Chinese community and Buddhist monks were also present during the Mass in a show of solidarity in praying for the hostage victims. Philippine bishops Deogracias Iñiguez Jr. (Caloocan) and Honesto Ongtioco (Cubao), as well as Fr. Thaddeus Shang, a Catholic priest from mainland China, presided over the Mass. Hundreds of students from schools and universities in Manila also took part in the memorial service. "My school required us to go here. But even if we were not required, I will still go to pray for the victims and our leaders. I also want to show to foreigners that the Philippines is a safe place," said 17-year-old Dorothy Toronueva, an Education major at the Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila. Toronueva was referring to the backlash the Philippines received from the international community days after the hostage incident at the Quirino grandstand. New life In his homily, Pabillo also prayed for “new life" not only for the survivors and their families but also for the Philippine police and media, who had been highly criticized for the tragic outcome. The bishop said last week’s incident should encourage the faithful to work together for a world without violence and a world of justice and hope. “We dream all the more of a world without violence, a dream of justice and hope. We hold on to this dream. This is why we are gathered here today. We do not want our dream to be blown away by that nightmare. Is this dream a make believe? No. Our gathering in prayer, in solidarity and in fraternity from different walks of life, different ethnic groups and even different faiths, shout together, no, our dream is not a make-believe. It is real. And its reality is based not on human possibilities but on our faith in God, who is beyond our human wickedness and weakness," he said. Pabillo also sought new life for the judiciary, saying the entire incident stemmed from a case of “justice delayed is justice denied." “Here we have witnessed how justice delayed can have dire consequences for our entire nation, as (Senior) Inspector Rolando Mendoza is not the only one to have been deeply wounded by the slow grind of our justice system. There are still so many who are crying out for justice. Let those who dispense justice do their job well and soon," he said. He likewise called for new life for the police and the military, that they may be “true keepers of peace" who should “respect life and human rights to the utmost." Pabillo lamented that Mendoza, who had been a policeman for decades, had violating the rights and even lives of his hostages. “He had been in his career for a long time. Did this service not ingrain in him respect for others and respect for life? The big question that should confront all in the armed forces is, are they trained to protect life and respect human rights? New life for our police and armed forces is not just to get more sophisticated arms or to get more training. It is above all to have deep love and respect for human rights and life itself," he said. Pabillo also sought new life for the media, saying that their success is not measured by its live or exclusive coverage. “Respect for authority and respect for life and the protection of basic rights are also to be considered," he said. No politicking Meanwhile, Pabillo warned politicians against using the incident for their "personal interests." “It is very sad that this concern was not manifested enough during the 11-hour drama. May there be really new life for our government officials, looking for the good of the people and not for their own self interests. Let not this issue be politicized. Let it not be dealt with in a self-protecting way that real service and real concerned be given," he said. Pabillo also prayed for new life for the Church and the faithful, who need to be more active in working for peace amid an “atmosphere of violence." “We cannot just do the same usual practices while this culture of violence is inundating our culture. We need to be more creative and self-sacrificing in our evangelizing work," he said. “We are challenged by last week’s terrible event as we are challenged to act and to do. We are also challenged to hope more and trust in God. Our God is not just looking at what is happening to us. He is also working among us and in us," he added. Flowers, candles After the Mass, the public officials present at the event went to the site of the bloodbath to offer flowers and lit candles. Chief Superintendent Roberto Ronggavilla, officer-in-charge of the Manila Police District, also led about 250 policemen in offering the flowers. The policemen were part of the group that secured the area during the hostage-taking. Rongavilla took over the MPD's helm last week after the district's head, Rodolfo Magtibay, took a leave of absence as an investigation of the incident is being conducted. – with Sophia Dedace/VVP, GMANews.TV