PNP chief: Reforms instituted after Manila hostage tragedy

A year after the Manila hostage tragedy where eight tourists from Hong Kong and their hostage-taker were killed, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said they have instituted reforms to prevent a repeat of the incident. In a speech delivered during the Holy Mass held at Camp Crame in remembrance of the victims of the tragedy, PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said the PNP also suffered because of the hostage-taking incident on August 23, 2010 at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed along with their hostage-taker dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza in the incident last year. Mendoza had taken the busload of tourists hostage to demand his reinstatement in the police force. However, a botched police rescue attempt prompted him to open fire on his hostages before he was himself gunned down. "We were determined to understand why [and] how things happened the way they did," Bacalzo said in his speech. He added: "We have learned our lessons, we have taken the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence. We remain committed and determined to serve the needs of development and protect lives at every turn." Presiding over the Mass was military bishop Leopoldo Tumulak, who lamented how despite the several investigations conducted inside and outside of the Philippines, many questions still linger. "It is indeed sad that until now we can't be certain about what really had happened and who are answerable, but is it not, somehow, a happy thought that our faith tells us that the lost lives are not actually gone but continue to live forever as human lives are meant to be?" Tumulak asked. Another hostage-taking incident On the other hand, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who also attended the Mass, cited the hostage-taking incident in Mindanao in April when armed tribesmen seized hostages in Agusan del Sur. The incident ended without anyone being harmed and two suspects being arrested. "Looking back, these lessons have been applied if you recall there was an Agusan incident and we were able to retrieve and recover the hostages safely. Now As a result of this incident, the crisis action force was also organized," Robredo told reporters.

Since the incident happened, the PNP has started equipping its special units with tools and equipment to carry out "more efficient operations and speedy interoperability link-ups," Bacalzo said. He added that the PNP also updated its operations manual on critical incident management, special unit operations, special weapons and tactics, and hostage negotiations. Ritual Also on Tuesday, a solemn ritual was held at the exact spot at Quirino Grandstand where the bloody hostage-taking happened a year ago. Representatives of Philippine Buddhist churches, together with the survivors and relatives of the victims, led the prayer and offering of flowers, food, and drinks, according to a report on GMA News TV's "News To Go." Filipino-Chinese community representative and Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) panel member Teresita Ang-See, who helped organize the activities for Tuesday's commemoration, said the survivors and relatives will meet with legislators and non-government organizations later in the day, but she did not name the legislators or the groups. According to a report, the survivors of the hostage-taking are asking from the Philippine government not only a formal apology but also just compensation for the damages. A legislator from Hong Kong who was not named in the report said one victim spent US $70,000 for five reconstructive surgeries he underwent and is hoping that the Philippine government can help cover his expenses. The Hong Kong nationals are scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong on Wednesday. No apology obtained On Monday, some of the hostage survivors and relatives of the victims met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to air their demand for an apology from the Philippine government over the incident. To which, De Lima said in a press conference afterwards: "In all candor, I told them that I'm not in the position to make such an apology on behalf of the government. The President has, in several occasions, already made an expression of regret on what happened." De Lima said she will relay to President Benigno Aquino III the other demands of the Hong Kong visitors, which include the criminal prosecution of senior government officials, monetary compensation for the tragedy, and the implementation of reforms to ensure the safety of tourists in the country. It was De Lima who headed the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) that looked into the hostage tragedy and recommended those who should be held accountable for the bungled rescue operations. However, Aquino modified the IIRC's report and absolved some officials like Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, and then-Philippine National Police (PNP) head Jesus Verzosa. Only the hostage-taker's brother, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, was held criminally liable while the other police officers were slapped with administrative charges. [See: The 2010 Manila hostage crisis: A year after] — with Candice Montenegro/RSJ/VVP, GMA News