by magnolia_eic | Sep 22, 2010 | Headlines, National News
PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has forwarded the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) report to his legal team for review and will be acted on upon his return from a seven-day working visit to the United States.
The President issued the statement Monday afternoon hours before his departure for San Francisco where he will take another plane for New York.
President Aquino said he has directed Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo De Mesa to review and make recommendations on the IIRC report.
When asked to comment on the IIRC report, the President emphasized that he will not make decisions on such important matters without a thorough review.
He added that upon his return from the US, his first priority is to study the findings of his legal team on the recommendatory report of the IIRC and act on it accordingly. The result of the legal team’s evaluation and recommended course of action will also be released at that time.
After reviewing the IIRC report, the President assured his administration’s commitment to implement the necessary changes to upgrade the capabilities of the local government units, the police and security forces to ensure the safety of the public.
He said efforts are now being made to improve the procedures and protocols for emergency and crisis situations which will eventually lead to drafting a new crisis management manual.
The IIRC recommended the filing of administrative and criminal charges against former PNP Chief Jesus Versoza, General Rodolfo Magtibay, NCRPO Chief Leocadio Santiago, Supt. Orlando Yebra, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Broadcasters Erwin Tulfo and Michael Rogas and the big three television networks which covered the bus hostage-taking crisis. (PCOO/PIA)
by magnolia_eic | Aug 23, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines — A hostage-taking crisis in the capital of the Philippines has ended with six of the bus passengers dead after an exchange of gunshots between the hostage taker and the police. Sources confirmed that the hostage taker has also died due to a gunshot in the head.
The Manila Doctors Hopsital has reported receiving four dead and one woman in critical condition.
The incident started when a dismissed policeman armed with an M16 rifle seized the busload of Hong Kong tourists along the Quirino grandstand to demand his reinstatement in the force.
The driver who escaped moments before police surrounded the bus said the hostage-taker, identified as former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, 55, opened fire at the tourists.
Mendoza earlier released nine (9) hostages — leaving the 15 inside the bus, while demanding his job back to free the rest.
Shortly after the end of the hostage crisis, Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno was interviewed by CNN. He cited that the demands of the Mendoza included his motion for reconsideration on the case filed against him which caused him to lose his job. When asked by the news anchor whether he was willing to reinstate Mendoza, Moreno reiterated that the demands of the hostage taker was not just about the job, but of the re-opening of his case.
CNN also asked what made the SWAT team decide to surround the bus and exchange gunshots with the hostage taker, Moreno answered by saying when he came back to the area, he was already bringing the letter from the Ombudsman saying that his case will be re-opened. However, upon approaching the hostage taker together with his brother in order to show the letter, Mendoza’s brother suddenly shouted provoking words which further agitated the situation resulting to the exchange of gunshots between the police and the hostage taker.
The Manila Vice-mayor added that such events do not mean that Manila is no longer a safe place to travel. Saying further that these things happen in many other countries and that the police have done what they could. He could have only hoped that no one would be hurt, however, the hostage taker really wanted to make a statement by firing his M16.
Tweets from ABS-CBN and facebook posts have revealed that Hong Kong Outbound Travel Advisory has declared Philippines as a severe threat and all residents must avoid travel bound for Philippines.
