The relationship of Hong Kong and the Philippines was soured when the Manila hostage crisis happened. This involves a number of Hong Kong tourists being hostages of a dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza. This hostage crisis happened on August 23, 2010. As a result of this crisis, the Hong Kong government asked for an apology from the Philippines. Chief Executives Pres. Aquino III (Philippines) and CY Leung (Hong Kong) met. Aquino III extended our condolences to Hong Kong but did not give the apology. For him, there is no need to say sorry because in our system, we cannot admit wrongdoing if it's not ours. Aside from the apology, Hong Kong also asked for compensation for the survivors and the casualties; and that the local officials involved in the failed rescue be held liable. For not giving the apology, Philippines was blacklisted on the Outbound Travel Alert and Hong Kong residents were also advised not to travel here. Also, Filipinos were now only allowed to a maximum of 14-day stay in Hong Kong without a visa.
What went wrong?
There were several errors on how the government handled the situation. First, the Ombudsman not granting his request right away. Mendoza complained that he was harassed and that he was dismissed by the Ombudsman without being heard. His dismissal removed all his benefits and that his good name was tarnished. He demanded for reinstatement. This was the only reason of Mendoza doing the crime. Second, the commander in chief, Mayor Lim, going out for dinner in the most crucial time of the crisis. According to report, later that day, the Ombudsman already ordered Mendoza's reinstatement but it was addressed to Lim. Since Lim was out for dinner, there is no one in command with the operations. Third, the lack of safety protective gears and equipment of our policemen. When Mendoza began shooting, the policeman tried to get into the bus but they could not break-in. When they smash the sledge hammer unto the bus' windows, which were reinforced flexi-glass, Mendoza fires a gun to battle for his survival. Since our police were not protected by bulletproof vests, they back out. And lastly, which I can say is the worst among all errors, the uncontrolled media. In their quest to get the best scoop, the media participated in the crime. Media showed how Mendoza's brother was caught by the police, where the SWAT team were situated and that the police were trying to get into the bus. These were all broadcast live. The bus was television-equipped; thus, Mendoza was able to plan on his action.
What should have been done?
First, the Ombudsman should have granted the reinstatement of Mendoza to save the lives of the hostages. The government can just file criminal charges against him with regard to the hostage-taking afterwards. Second, during such crisis, a commander in chief should not leave the command post without assigning a person to be in his shoe. Third, policemen should have been given safety protective gears and equipment to handle such crisis. Lastly, media should at least be responsible in what they should and what should not report live. Since our media is protected by the Bill of Rights, news blackout is not possible. What is possible is to select the reports that can be broadcast live. During the crisis, the media were not responsible. Reports like the positions of the SWAT team and that the policemen trying to enter the bus should have not been broadcast live since these reports had given Mendoza idea on what the actions of the authorities were. Thus, Mendoza was able to plan for his next move.
Mayor Estrada's apology and how did it make difference.
April 2014, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, the Local Chief Executive of the City of Manila, went to Hong Kong to apologize to the Hong Kong Government for what had happened on August 23, 2010. This apology of Mayor Estrada normalized the ties between the two states. Diplomats and officials were now again enjoying the visa-free access to Hong Kong and that the travel warning imposed against the Philippines was also lifted.
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