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HK Bus Hostage Tragedy 2010 (aftermath. etc.); updates, discussions
Topic Started: Aug 23 2010, 12:08 PM (6,539 Views)
pachador


israeli
Aug 25 2010, 01:17 PM
until now, i'm wondering why the MPD decided not to ask the SAF for reinforcement despite knowing the fact that they're too ill-equipped to deal with the hostage crisis unlike the SAF.

its possible that the reason MPD insisted on handling this is simply because the hostage taker was one of their own(mendoza was head of the MPD mobile unit) and they were hoping madadaan sa pakiusap(talk things over). thats why even though there were several instances where a sniper could have taken him out or the negotiators could have grabbed him as his rifle was pointing down, no force was used until it was too late. if the SAF or AFP was involved, mendoza would have been taken out early in the game. In summary , there was a conflict of interest - with using MPD SWAT to assault one of their own - an MPD officer.

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spearhead
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raider1011
Aug 25 2010, 10:03 PM
spearhead
Aug 25 2010, 09:56 PM
Well were they trainied for this kind of situation? We need confirmation about this issue. Because some says they're not even trained for bus-type hostage take down.

Sometimes you will know if an elite unit is really trained for this, for having the right tools and equipments.

It's on the PNP SAF website. They're "trained for hostage rescue operations even aboard aircraft and /or moving vehicles". The second link has photos showing SAF operators practicing a hostage taking scenario aboard an MRT train, using ladders.

raider1011
Aug 24 2010, 09:12 PM
So what happened?  The PNP had people who were ready and willing to do the job, but someone stopped them from doing it?  The absence of PNP SAF is an injustice, to the victims and the organization both.

Quote:
 
Sureshock –Urban Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Course

The Urban Counter-Revolutionary Warfare Course, also known as Sureshock, is one of the course offered exclusively by the SAF. It is especially designed to enable police officers to respond to crises and terrorist incident in mostly urban situations. With Sureshock, students master modern anti-terrorist methods such as how to conduct hostage rescue operations even aboard as aircraft and /or moving vehicles. They imbibe interventions. They learn, for instance, how to breach or rappel to enter an assault area from above, and extricate hostages safely. Further still, the expertise of SAF troopers with firearms are honed so that they are able to handle these with deadly accuracy, speed, and care. The close-quarters battle is the trademark of the Sureshock. Conducted almost always amid smoke, darkness, and deadly fumes while fully outfitted and armed, a team or teams of SAF troopers clear a building systematically and methodically. This approach can be either covert or done is absolute silence where commands are given through hand signals, or it could be dynamic, as in assault conducted in the midst of a raging firefight.

http://www.pnpsaf.org

Since February 2003 our instructors have provided training to selected members of the PNP Special Action Force Commandos inclusive of the First Special Action Battalion; the Second Battalion; the Rapid Deployment Battalion - Crisis Response Group;  and facilitated as special instructor to the Urban Counter Revolutionary Warfare Course (Sure Shock) Class 51, 58, 59, 60; Commando Trainees - class 23 & 24; SAF Operation Orientation Course (SAF-OOC) - Class 03; PNP-Air Marshall program entitled the  Covert Escort Security Service for National Air-carriers (CESSNA); and the Special Weapons and Tactical Operation Course (SWATOC) Class 02-2003.

SCENARIO SIMULATION TRAINING

As part of our exposure and in-depth knowledge of terrorism incidents, The Helquin Group provides instructors with tactical and strategic inputs to facilitate scenario simulation training to specialized counterterrorist units in preparation of hostage rescue exercises and high-risk incidents.

Since 2003 The Helquin Group has assisted in the execution of scenario simulation exercises entitled ‘Train Hostage Rescue Operations’ as part of the PNP-SAF Urban Counter Revolutionary Warfare Course.

In addition, The Helquin Group has provided visual training aids and tactical development skills for the success of the exercise including of train hostage incident case studies, train specification and mass public rail transport operations overview, staging area preparation, and the execution of covert approach, dynamic entries, and hostage-prisoner control methods.

http://helquingroup.viviti.com/our-services



Indeed.

They should over override then the MPD authorities to take over the situation and tossing out those MPD SWAT to take care of the public and media instead. Oh crap... Here's a headbang for it! :headbang:
"Men of War must learn the art of numbers or he will not know how to array his troops." - Plato

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raider1011


pachador
Aug 25 2010, 11:23 PM
its possible that the reason MPD insisted on handling this is simply because the hostage taker was one of their own(mendoza was head of the MPD mobile unit) and they were hoping madadaan sa pakiusap(talk things over). thats why even though there were several instances where a sniper could have taken him out or the negotiators could have grabbed him as his rifle was pointing down, no force was used until it was too late. if the SAF or AFP was involved, mendoza would have been taken out early in the game. In summary , there was a conflict of interest - with using MPD SWAT to assault one of their own - an MPD officer.

You have to account for the fact the NCRPO chief was, until recently, the commander of PNP SAF, and received a second star during his time with that unit. It's hard to accept that, faced with the ultimate situation he himself prepared the SAF for, he'd drop all that and concede the field to non-specialists for the sake of emotion. As bad as it sounds, I'm more inclined to believe that, somehow, someone, the decision was taken out of his hands.
God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.

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Loyalty to the Nation ALL the time, loyalty to the Government when it deserves it.

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israeli
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4 SWAT members in hostage crisis sacked
ANDREO CALONZO, GMANews.tv
08/25/2010 | 08:41 PM

Four members of the Manila police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team were relieved of their posts Wednesday, two days after the bloody hostage crisis in Manila, which left eight Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker dead.

Relieved were Chief Inspector Santiago Pascual, Senior Police Officer 4 Reynaldo Antonio, SPO3 Alfonso Gameng, and SPO2 Bernardo Espinosa, according to Manila Police District (MPD) Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay.

The head of the MPD SWAT team and three other team leaders were placed on “administrative relief" in the aftermath of Monday’s bloody hostage drama, Magtibay said.

The hostage crisis erupted Monday in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park after dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus at Fort Santiago, about a kilometer from the grandstand, and held hostage 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos. Nine people died, including eight Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker, who was killed by a sniper's bullet.

Chief Senior Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., the PNP spokesperson, said the four SWAT officials were relieved to keep them from exerting "undue influence" on the committee — the Post Critical Incident Management Committee (PCIMC), composed of the PNP's directorial staff headed by Verzosa — tasked to investigate the incident.

The committee is composed of members of the PNP directorates for investigation and detective management, intelligence, police community relations, and operations.

"On orders of the chief PNP, the investigation will be conducted 24/7, walang tulugan (no sleeping)," Cruz said.

Magtibay goes on leave

President Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III meanwhile accepted Magtibay’s offer to go on leave following the bloody hostage crisis.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, Aquino said he directed Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa to accept Magtibay’s offer to go on leave.

“I respect him [Magtibay] for taking full responsibility – as ground commander – of the outcome of this incident," the President said.

He added that Magtibay’s leave status will likely take effect Thursday.

Aquino likewise said that PNP is in the process of coming up with a list of names of police officers who will take over Magtibay’s post.

“We will be submitting this list to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and he will be the one to choose from this list, as found in the PNP law," he said.

Magtibay on Wednesday morning said he is willing to go on leave and take responsibility for the bloody outcome of the hostage crisis.

Aquino stands by Verzosa, Cabinet members

Despite accepting the Manila police chief’s offer to go on leave, Aquino said there is no need for Verzosa and other Cabinet members to follow suit.

Verzosa has shown competence in his almost two years as police chief, Aquino said.

“Marami naman ho yatang achievements si Director Verzosa. Look at the extralegal killings, given the necessary support, during the first three weeks, nasolve yung three of the six. I think he’s competent enough to answer all these," he said in the same press briefing.

The President also brushed off calls by some members of the House of Representatives for Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, as well as members of the Palace communication group to resign.

He advised the congressmen, mostly from the opposition, to wait for the outcome of the investigation before pointing fingers at anyone.

“I would not want to prejudge the investigation that will be conducted to be spearheaded by the Justice Secretary… Certain members of the House has responded to these statements, and I think there is no need for me to respond," the President said.
"To secure peace is to prepare for war." - Carl Von Clausewitz
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israeli
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Angry media reaction to Manila siege
BBC News
25 August 2010 Last updated at 10:29 GMT


Media in the Philippines, China and Hong Kong have reacted angrily in the aftermath of the Manila bus siege, in which eight Hong Kong tourists were killed by a former police officer.

In Hong Kong, public anger over the siege's handling has resulted in the territory's government issuing its highest travel advisory alert to citizens planning to visit the Philippines, whilst a backlash against Filipino migrant workers has resulted in some immigrants working as domestic staff losing their jobs.

Sections of the Philippines press worried about how the incident would hit the country's foreign image, and there was concern about the media's role in the siege.


Hong Kong and China

South China Morning Post (Hong Kong daily)

"There is understandable anger in Hong Kong towards the police tactical response team in Manila. But what is not comprehensible is why people have vented their frustrations on Filipinos. Such behaviour towards them smacks of racism. The response is knee-genius, but punishes Filipinos as a race for an incident that they had nothing to do with."

Hong Kong Economic Journal (Business daily)

"The incident still has too many questionable points and the Philippine government still has no intention of earnestly learning its lesson and paying compensation to the victims. Until the Philippine government gives a serious account and deals with the aftermath we believe that the Hong Kong government should maintain the black travel advisory on the Philippines for a long time."

The Sun (Hong Kong daily)

"This bloody incident has once again sounded the alarm for the people of Hong Kong that this world is not peaceful. If the Philippine authorities cannot guarantee the safety of Hong Kong travellers the people of Hong Kong should respond with a firm boycott."

Oriental Daily News (Hong Kong daily)

"The performance of the Philippine police was not only clumsy, but was extremely irresponsible for the whole world to see. The Philippine authorities must make a sincere apology to the people of Hong Kong and hold people accountable for dereliction of duty."

Apple Daily (Hong Kong newspaper)

"The Hong Kong government and the central government are not totally blameless in this matter ... The Philippine authorities' negligent and incompetent performance must certainly be condemned, but the Hong Kong government's ignorance as well as the central government's incompetence also indirectly killed the eight hostages in this incident."

Global Times (Beijing-based English-language daily)

"The Philippine government needs to take the latest tragedy as a strong lesson in making an overhaul of its security system, so as to recover the country's international image. The measures will also bring stability to its society and benefit its economy."


Philippines

Philippine Star (Manila-based daily)

"The nation mourns with the families of the fatalities from Hong Kong. Beyond mourning, the Philippines must show to Hong Kong and the rest of the world that decisive steps are being undertaken to prevent a repeat of the tragedy ... According to reports, about 250,000 Hong Kong residents visit the Philippines every year. We can kiss that figure goodbye, at least for the next six months."

Philippine News (Filipino online newspaper)

"The Philippines has received a black eye from this crisis, and deservedly so. If this turns into a whitewash then the country will fall further behind the rest of the civilized world. And not just foreign tourists, but even former Filipinos and expatriates living abroad will refuse to set foot in the country again."

Manila Times (Philippines daily newspaper)

"I am pretty sure many other broadcast journalists sensed that something was wrong about the live coverage of the ongoing hostage situation. Unfortunately, most of them got caught up in the frenzy of unfolding events and were unable to help calm things, much less themselves down. In fact, not a few viewers blame the live TV - as well as radio - coverage for agitating the hostage-taker."

Business World (financial daily)

"Should the media have been allowed to cover the incident the way they did? It was obvious that the cameramen and the reporters were getting in the way of police operations. The only good thing about that TV coverage is that it will serve as a manual on how not to handle a hostage crisis."

Daily Tribune

"Forget tourism in the country - not after the Philippines has earned a big black eye, not only in Hong Kong but in the world, after the bungling by police authorities of the hostage situation that left eight persons dead. Maybe government can also forget foreign investments, with the perception strengthened that Manila is a most dangerous place, not just for tourists and expats, but also for business."

Daily Inquirer (privately-owned daily)

"Such turbulent events as the hostage-taking are unwanted. They scare investors away. The administration of President Aquino now finds itself in a precarious political and economic condition, not unlike that of Cory Aquino when the government was shocked by the 1989 coup."
"To secure peace is to prepare for war." - Carl Von Clausewitz
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israeli
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Watch this series of news clips from the BBC. Towards the end of the video, the BBC anchorwoman was heavily critical of Philippine authorities and media.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a83GwJm-TFU
"To secure peace is to prepare for war." - Carl Von Clausewitz
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israeli
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Analysts: Philippine leadership wilts under crisis spotlight
By Kevin Voigt, CNN
August 25, 2010 -- Updated 0644 GMT (1444 HKT)

(CNN) -- An isolated incident involving a lone gunman in Manila has turned into an international incident that is proving the first real test of newly elected President Benigno Aquino.

As such, the leadership in Manila suddenly finds itself suddenly in league with multinational corporations like BP and Toyota who watch their credibility erode as missteps are magnified before a global audience.

"Organizational effectiveness shows up most dramatically when dealing with issues related with security," said Dane Chamorro, managing director of Greater China for Control Risks, which advises companies on economics and security issues. "This demonstrated in a very dramatic and tragic small-scale way larger problems that are much more widespread."


As the live broadcast events of Monday slid into tragedy, ire at the outcome shifted quickly from the gunman to the government.

"People were looking to the government to act in a matter that demonstrated competence and professionalism, and that wasn't apparent," said Michael Alan Hamlin, a Manila-based marketing consultant and author of "High Visibility."

Hamlin said there were fundamental errors by police on crowd and media control, which may have helped turn events bloody; witnesses said the gunman, Rolando Mendoza, became agitated after watching police arrest his brother from a television on the bus.

Police waited more than an hour after the first shots before launching their assault on the bus. "There were many times when they could have easily taken him out (before)," Hamlin said.

Basic communication at the scene before the shooting started was not focused on the task at hand -- securing the hostages safe release.

"Various spokesmen were talking about the potential impact (of the incident) on tourism, when obviously the message that need to go out was, `Our first focus and only concern right now is for the hostages,'" Hamlin said.

In the wake of the incident, the Philippines National Police released a statement that included a laundry list of ways police on the ground fell down on the job, including: 1) poor handling of the hostage negotiation; 2) side issues and events that further agitated the hostage-taker; 3) inadequate capability, skills, equipment and planning of the assault team; 4)improper crowd control, and inadequate training and competence of assault team leader; and 5) non-compliance to media relations procedures in hostage situations.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang's complaint that he couldn't get President Aquino on the phone also ratcheted tensions between China and the Philippines.

"It's an isolated incident and I think the government needs to think of a way to make sure that's understood -- that there's not some lawless situation in the Philippines and it's not a terrorist act," Hamlin said. "It involved foreign guests, who made it an international incident -- it wouldn't be resonating around the world right now if it involved only locals."


Still, the incident resonated abroad because so many Philippines nationals live and work abroad -- an estimated 10 percent of the Philippines nearly 100 million population live and work abroad. Watching the incompetence unfold at home underlines why low-skilled laborers are wooed away to Hong Kong to work as domestic helpers, and why high-skilled engineers are lured to Dubai or skilled nurses flock to jobs in the United States, said Chamorro, the risk analyst.

"When they lose their best skilled people, that's a huge obstacle -- they really need these people at home," Chamorro said.

To gain a foothold of credibility with its own populace, the Philippines government should focus on improving basic government services benchmarked against other Southeastern Asian nations.

"For example, in Thailand there is successful mail delivery in three separate languages. Now, there is certainly corruption in Thailand, but the post office works. That is not true in the Philippines," Chamorro said. "Education, policing, mail -- does it seem to be working? If not, there is a gap, and nature will fill that gap with something else."
"To secure peace is to prepare for war." - Carl Von Clausewitz
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mazingu
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pachador
Aug 25 2010, 11:23 PM
its possible that the reason MPD insisted on handling this is simply because the hostage taker was one of their own(mendoza was head of the MPD mobile unit) and they were hoping madadaan sa pakiusap(talk things over). thats why even though there were several instances where a sniper could have taken him out or the negotiators could have grabbed him as his rifle was pointing down, no force was used until it was too late. if the SAF or AFP was involved, mendoza would have been taken out early in the game. In summary , there was a conflict of interest - with using MPD SWAT to assault one of their own - an MPD officer.

Almost the same speculation offered by the opposition.

And who is this high ranking broadcast media personality mentioned by SPO2 Mendoza as the one who was on constant communication with his brother and apparently advised him on the letter from the Ombudsman?
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The most visible and one that kindled the ire of Capt. Mendoza was the arrest of his brother which had been fed to him by the inboard TV of the bus as he was monitoring the footage of how events were unfolding outside. If SWAT elements taking charge of the operation were professionally trained, they should have in mind the adage that says; "Thou shall not provoke the hostage taker".

It's really hard to comprehend how a TOPP awardee cop got into that lamentable end of his life so tragic and incomprehensible apart from creating shock waves that was felt around the world that delivered the tremor of indignity to the PNP for being incompetent in handling the situation.
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At this afternoon's Senate inquiry, MPD Chief Rodolfo Magtibay told the senators the reason why he did not call for the SAF because Chief Inspector Santiago Pascual, MPD SWAT head, assured him that the MPD SWAT is capable.

Magtibay also said that a SAF team arrived on scene but did not participate because there was no order from higher command.
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