Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Manila Tourist Bus Hostage taking

Disappointing.. not a new word to ascribe to the police but what happened yesterday was downheartedly DISAPPOINTING.. prompting me to ask so many questions as to what role really the police play in our society? for on this one occasion for them to shine and show that, (behind those big beer belly of theirs, behind the very dirty and disgusting image that they have continuously and easily maintained anywhere in the country enough for the people to fear and not respect most of them even a bit,) they can actually, swiftly handle such a situation... they failed.

They did not know what to do. They have allowed the hostage situation to last from morning til night and yet come the moment that every good soul hoped would not happen, they faltered! Armalite shots were heard inside the bus and yet no team was there to handle the situation. After waiting the whole day, all they could do was rely on the snipers.

Please dont blame the media. If the media was not there, we'll definitely hear a different story from the police on how hard the situation was. Obviously it was hard since an ex-police was armed and threatening to hurt tourists if his requests will not be granted and in the situation he had the 'vantage point', according to the police. But then again, what are all their trainings for? Waiting the whole day and eventually coming up with at least 7 dead tourists! If it was not real life what happened yesterday during the 'attack' of the 'elite' 'SWAT" teams (yes, TEAMSSSS!) was a comedy show.

After almost an hour after 'armalite' shots were heard inside the bus (if the hostages were hit, they would have bled to death), they finally decided to attack (maybe for the purpose of killing the hostage taker, if everyone else was indeed dead as the escaped bus driver said).

PLAN A. The first team attacked at the front. for fear that there might be a bomb at the hydraulic door (must have watched SPEED) they tried to smash the right portion of the wind shield. then shots came from the inside of the bus. all of them dropped and then disengaged (retreated!!!)

PLAN B. Then the next 'elite' team came again smashing the windows, this time at the back of the bus. then they kept throwing flashbangs and tear gases. And then what? Nothing. They piled up, some 15-20 of them, behind the bus beside a police mobile car. Then rapid shots came from inside the bus once again. This time a civilian 'usi' was hit.

PLAN C. Then they made another move (ala McGyver). Thinking that there might not be a bomb at the hydraulic door after all, or if there was one then they can open it without risking the life of one of their elite and precious police SWAT by tying a rope and then pulling the door using a police car. The comedy show that it was the rope snapped.

Can we blame those who look differently on us? Yes, we have produced great people and things, but which country does not?

On a daily basis, do our institutions work for us?

When meeting a policeman, do you ever feel SERVED and PROTECTED?