Postcripts To A BloodBath

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Mr. Mendoza was already upset even before he saw on television what the policemen did to his brother. The other tourists who remained inside the bus were complaining. Wei Ji Jiang wanted to go to the bathroom. Dao Chi Yu was hungry and the rest were just groaning and whining like they have forgotten that our lives rest in Mr. Mendoza's hands.

The hostage taker, as you know him was really nice. He treated us okay and even let the elders and the children leave the bus. He said your policemen treated him unfairly. He was a policeman too and was accused of doing something he had no knowledge of. But your government didn't listen so he used us to get everyone's attention.

Things would have never turned for the worst if he didn't see how his family was dragged out of their house and taken into custody. He was watching the news all the time as we huddled around each other behind the bus. He shouted some words in your language then started shooting in the air. A girl about my age started screaming.

Mr. Mendoza demanded her to stop but she didn't understand English. God, he had to slash her neck with a knife just to put her to rest.  Her boyfriend who tried to hit him was shot in the head. Tension was rising. You can see in his face how scared and confused he was. The bus driver ran away leaving him alone with strangers from a distant land.

I can see him walking across the aisle, sometimes pointing his machine gun to one of the tourists. But he tried his best not to hurt us, especially those who really cooperate. I guess its in your nature not to inflict pain on others unless it was necessary. I remember him saying that he will free us before sundown and implored us to forget everything when we return home.

But his words don't matter now. The policemen were trying to force their way in, while we all lied down to shield ourselves from bullets. Mister Mendoza blindly shoots at his enemies which I think kept them from rescuing us. I hear sobs under the chairs. Some were even shouting the names of their loved ones even when the air merely eat their words. Kevin Tang tried to escape when the glass door was was shattered, but one shot and he slumped on the floor with blood gushing from his mouth. Heavy rain pitter-pattered on the rooftop. In old Chinese saying, it means an end to a struggle.

Finally, somebody was able to open the escape hatch at the back of the bus. Freedom. But I knew Mister Mendoza was still alive. I knew he was just waiting for a chance to strike back at his enemies. So I told those around me not to escape. Let the authorities come for us instead.

Then there was gunfire. He was firing at his enemies with a machine gun. Those who were at the escape hatch fled abandoning us once again. It's like a nightmare with no end and to wake up means a certain death. Then somebody from outside the bus threw a canister. It forced out a black smoke that is so painful to the eyes and putrid smelling to the nose.

People started screaming. We cannot breathe. Some ran in front of the bus but Mister Mendoza warned them of stray bullets. It was too late. One was hit on the head, the other was hit on the shoulders. Bullets were now flying. Its like the authorities thought we were all dead. Mister Mendoza finally admits his mistake and said sorry to everyone, dead or alive.

He then ran towards the front of the bus where he would meet his maker. As he passed by my chair with bullets whistling overhead, I clutched my hand on the velvet curtain and wrapped it around my face. All I could think of was to stay alive - for my child who is waiting for me back in Xinjang.

I know I will survive, I will come home.

Bang Lu Min Survivor
Quirino Bloodbath

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http://www.gov.ph/2010/08/24/proclamation-no-23/


MALACAÑAN PALACE

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

PROCLAMATION NO. 23

DECLARING AUGUST 25, 2010, AS A DAY OF NATIONAL MOURNING

WHEREAS, on August 23, 2010, as a consequence of the hostage-taking incident in the Quirino Grandstand, Manila, eight innocent civilians lost their lives under tragic circumstances;

WHEREAS, the Hong Kong government declared a day of mourning to express sorrow over the deaths of their nationals;

WHEREAS, these deaths are a great loss to the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines, and call for the most solemn commemoration and respect at a time of grief for our two peoples;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim August 25, 2010 as a day of national mourning, in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and the bereaved families of the slain.

I instruct all the public institutions in the Philippines and our embassies and consulates overseas to lower the Philippine flag to half-mast on August 25, 2010.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Ten.

(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III

By the President:

(Sgd.) PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary

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By Janie Octia, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

In an attempt to inform the world of the good things about Philippines following Monday’s hostage crisis, 15-year-old Reigno Jose Dilao writes a letter to the world.

Dilao, a 4th year student of Samar National High School, posted the letter at CNN’s iReport site Monday at around 10:00 P.M. after the hostage crisis ended leaving at least 10 people dead, including the gunman.

In a phone interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia, Dilao says he was disappointed with yesterday’s turn of events.

“Sana pinag-isipan ni Mendoza yung mga ginawa nya [Mendoza should have thought twice about his actions],” Dilao said.

He believes that this incident will take its toll on the country’s tourism.

“Ang hindi magandang epekto, sa turismo natin. Ang mga turista, iniisip nila lahat, lalo na ang safety [This will have a bad effect on our tourism. Tourists think about safety],” says Dilao.

Dilao also criticized the authorities who handled the crisis.

“Parang hindi pinag-isipan ng mga police officers yung strategy [It looked like the police officers didn't think about their strategy],” Dilao said.

Dilao, a campus journalist for three years, dreams of being a journalist.

While some criticized members of the media for yesterday’s reportage, Dilao said media is just doing its job.

In his letter, Dilao defends the Filipino people and describes them as “loving and good-hearted people.”

Dilao says the Philippines is a nation of strong, remarkable and hospitable people.

As of this writing, his letter has been viewed 269 times and shared 24 times.

Dilao also expressed his apologies in the letter but also asked the world not to judge the country for this incident.

“Sana malaman ng mundo kung ano ang Pilipino, hindi lahat ng tao katulad ni Mendoza [I hope the world will know who the Filipinos are and that we're not all like Mendoza],” ends Dilao.

Here’s a copy of the letter posted on CNN iReport with Reigno Jose Dilao’s permission

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

    And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE

Sincerely yours,

Reigno Jose Dilao



Source:  http://ph.yfittopostblog.com/2010/08/24/were-not-all-like-mendoza/

[Jessica]

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the survivor's story almost got me into tears....

this is very frustrating and infuriating. thanks for sharing, Ping.

i blame the police for everything.

[Ping]

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I hope this should really serve as an eye opener, and not just finger pointing.

As we learn from this experience, hopefully, our police officers will be more equipped in the future - training and equipments.  So that no innocent lives will be lost.   


 

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MANILA (PNA) - The Hong Kong government has expressed appreciation for the assistance and swift response provided by the Philippine government in addressing their requests including the repatriation of the remains of the victims in the hostage-taking incident on Monday. Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said the message of appreciation was personally relayed by Guo Shao Chuen of Hong Kong's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo during their meeting on Tuesday night in Manila. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Lacierda said that Chuen asked Robredo to convey to President Benigno S. Aquino III the Hong Kong government's appreciation of the swift processing of documents and other requirements of the relatives of victims of the tragic incident. Lacierda said Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman led the send off for the Hong Kong nationals on Wednesday afternoon. Lacierda welcomed the magnanimous pronouncement of action star Jackie Chan on his Twitter account saying that incidents like the tragic hostage taking in Manila do happen around the world and that "humans should be united and not kill or hate each other." "We thank Mr. Jackie Chan for extending his hand of friendship. We hope that our friends in Hong Kong will also extend their hands of friendship again to us. It is an isolated incident, it is an unfortunate incident. We grieved over the tragedy that had happened. We are not taking this lightly. We thank Mr. Jackie Chan and we hope the people of Hong Kong will also understand our situation," Lacierda said. Lacierda said the President has already called for a full investigation of the incident to be led by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and DILG Secretary Robredo. He said the Philippines will send a high-level delegation to Hong Kong and Beijing to be led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo to reiterate the country's deepest regret and submit an official report on the incident.



Source:  http://ph.news.yahoo.com/mb/20100825/tsp-hk-appreciates-rp-efforts-in-hostage-bf91d28.html

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What the police should have done in Manila bus crisis 巴士危機菲警處理不當？

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCeZ0RYNnM8

This anime reenactment of Philippines hostage crisis was made by Hong Kong Apple Daily.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-A4bixQjC8