Cops inspect tourist spots as Manila hostage crisis anniversary nears

The Manila police on Friday conducted safety inspections of various tourist spots and installations, including the Quirino Grandstand, the site of the August 23, 2010 tragedy where eight Hong Kong tourists and their hostage-taker were killed. Radio dzBB’s Carlo Mateo reported that at the Rizal Park, Manila Police District (MPD) head, Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla, led the inspection of the site, where the relatives of the victims are expected to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy. The report said the relatives of the Hong Kong victims will arrive for a Buddhist ceremony at the site of the incident on August 23, one year after the incident. During the ceremony, the relatives will offer prayers for the souls of their deceased family members, the report added. Hostage tragedy On August 23 last year, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza held hostage a bus with tourists from Hong Kong. Mendoza was a decorated cop who was later suspended for allegedly having been involved in a controversial “hulidap" operation in April 2008. “Hulidap" is a Filipino slang word coined from the words “huli" (arrest) and “holdup." “Hulidap policemen" conduct illegal arrests of innocent civilians with the aim of extorting money from them. In August 2010, Mendoza held hostage over 20 the tourists from Hong Kong to demand his reinstatement in the police force. After an 11-hour standoff, Mendoza and eight hostages from Hong Kong were killed. The incident prompted Hong Kong to impose a “black" mark on travel to the Philippines, discouraging travel in the country. - VVP, GMA News