The suspension of 4 members of the Manila Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the leave of absence filed by the chief of the Manila Police District may not be enough to appease public outrage over the bloody hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand.
“What the Filipino people and the world are asking is who among the officials of the national government was on top of the situation from the start. The fact that it involved foreign nationals and that it had become an international incident, it would not be enough to leave the matter to the discretion of a police district director or city officials,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
“It is necessary to determine who from Malacanang was ultimately on top of the situation from the start, given that it was an extraordinary situation, a hostage crisis that had been internationalized,” he added.
Bayan said that while the police officials involved in the operations should be investigated, national officials should also assume responsibility for the fiasco.
“The Senate hearings appear to show that the crisis was left in the hands of lower officials with apparently little intervention or leadership from Malacanang. Those who were calling the shots were local officials. That is something that truly boggles the mind,” Reyes said.
The group also called on the Palace to be open to public criticism in the aftermath of the bloody hostage crisis.
“Public criticisms of the president’s actions during the crisis are understandable insofar as many people believe the president’s response appeared inadequate given the magnitude of the crisis,” he added.
“Public outrage can only be appeased if the national government - from the president to his cabinet - adopts a self-critical approach of their handling of the crisis. An apology from the national government is the least it can do at this point,” Reyes said.
Bayan said that “defensive reactions” by Palace officials only serve to fan public outrage over the incident.
“The responses offered by Palace spokesmen tend to aggravate public dismay over the incident,” Reyes said.
Senate hearings show hostage crisis left in hands of lower officials
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