Incompetence, Corruption, and Lack of Accountability: Bastion of a Demoralized Country

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I wish I could say that Rolando Mendoza is an anomaly amongst cops in the Philippines, but if I did, the flames of hell would roast me like a lechon for telling one whopper of a lie. I wish I could say that kidnapping syndicates are few and far between in the Philippines, but my already tomato-ey nose would grow to Pinocchio lengths if I did, because they are as prevalent as hipsters in Brooklyn. Add in corruption on every level, and you have a thoroughly demoralized country with citizens enrolling in nursing courses en masse as a means to someday escape the country in droves.

My mom's from the Philippines, and despite the fact that I can be very harsh in my criticism of the country's unparalleled and systemic corruption, I love it. I love the Philippines the way you might love your alcoholic uncle or racist father--it's love mixed with embarrassment and hate; acceptance but wanting change.

There are things that make me hopeful about the Philippines, like the fact that an honest man was recently elected as its leader after disastrous administrations ruled by a corrupt midget and a mustachioed thief . I was filled with pride and hope when Noynoy Aquino spoke in Tagalog in his first State of the Nation Address, and called out corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. His is a transparent administration, one that holds leaders accountable for their constituents, and not their bank accounts.

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The kurakot buaya posse known as the Philippine Police, however, reaffirms my belief that although all hope isn't lost, the Philippines has a long way to go to be seen as credible and trustworthy in the eyes of the world. Yes, Pinoys are known to be friendly, talented, and hard-working, but the Philippines is also (in)famous for being one of the poorest, most corrupt countries in Asia. Hell, look up dear ole Marcos on Guinness World Records, and guess what? Filed under most corrupt. 

Up to the time I turned 18, my parents and I visited my momma's family in the Philippines every summer. Although I still salivate over thoughts of dried mangoes, morcon, and sorbetes---to the horror of my family, street food is one of my guilty novelties--- the last time I visited was years ago. I am so sick and tired of landing at NAIA and being accosted by baggage handlers, officials, and the rest of the corrupt posse for money. I'm sick of having to pay fees that these badge-flashing thieves come up with off the top of their greedy (yet empty) heads. I'm sick of being in a car that's randomly stopped by cops for some imaginary traffic violation, and being told to pay a "small fee" to "forget the whole thing." For coffee, they'd say. I am sick of being told to "tone down my Americanness" and not being able to go by myself to another store inside the mall  for fear of being kidnapped for ransom. I am sick of hearing about my cousins' classmates actually being kidnapped, and then worrying about my very Chinese/Korean-looking cousin being kidnapped, because syndicates target foreigners under the assumption that they are rich and could therefore afford to give ransom. I am sick of the fact that whenever I'm in the Philippines, I have to turn off my trusting nature so as not to be taken advantage of. There are "crocodiles dressed in uniform" lurking on every corner, my momma would warn me.  I am sick of losing hope in a beautiful country that once stood proud against its conquerors. Where have the Rizals gone? The GomBurZas? The Gabrielas and the Corys? Where have they gone? Are they forever lost? Can the Philippines ever find its way?

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Cops like Rolando Mendoza, who was fired because of a history of extortion and corruption, are the norm. Sure, there are honest ones, but they are few and far between, and because of the poverty in the Philippines, statistically they won't stay honest for long. Sometimes the good guys aren't rewarded. Sometimes the nice guys do finish last. That's why those who can, leave. Those who choose to stay are the elites, who jet set back and forth. It's a dog eat dog world.

Ninoy Aquino once said that "the Pilipino is worth dying for," and he did die for this belief. It's a shame that his convictions are being spatted on by the selfishness and corruption of the very people he fought for.

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BANGON! GISING! 

:::End Rant:::

Philippine police: Authorities botched hostage rescue

By the CNN Wire Staff

August 24, 2010 9:25 a.m. EDT

Manila, Philippines (CNN) -- Authorities botched rescue efforts during a deadly hostage situation on a tourist bus, the Philippine National Police said in a statement Tuesday.

Manila police said former police officer Rolando Mendoza, upset at having lost his job, held hostage a busload of tourists from Hong Kong on Monday and killed eight of them before being shot dead.

"We do not want to pass sweeping judgment or make early conclusions except to say that our intention to peacefully end this hostage drama was spoiled when the hostage-taker suddenly exhibited violent behavior and began shooting the hostages," Philippine National Police Chief Director General Jesus A. Verzosa said in a statement.

But a statement from the national police said officials have already noted "some observations and defects during their close monitoring of the unfolding events."

Video: Surviving the Manila bus standoff

Video: Hong Kong issues Philippine warning

Video: Hostage aftermath in Philippines

Video: Bus hostage drama ends in Philippines

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• Philippines
• Hong Kong
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The statement did not provide details, but lists "poor handling of the hostage negotiation," "inadequate capability, skills, equipment and planning of the assault team," "improper crowd control," "inadequate training and competence of assault team leader" and "non-compliance to media relations procedures in hostage situations."

Police said Tuesday that the bus had a television on board, which could have allowed the gunman to watch live coverage of the standoff.

Survivors were scheduled to leave the Philippines Tuesday as officials and family members called on authorities to investigate.

"The investigation has got to find out, what was the turning point? What happened?" Philippine National Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon told CNN Tuesday.

Gordon told CNN that interviews with survivors have revealed that the situation inside the bus changed dramatically toward the end of the 10-hour standoff.

"Apparently the man went berserk. He was telling everybody he was not going to harm [them]...He said that nobody's going to get harmed. He said that he was probably going to die, but not the hostages," he said.

A woman who was on the bus told reporters her husband was killed when he tried to stop the gunman.

"My husband was very brave. He rushed out from the back of the bus to try to stop the killer," said the woman, who identified herself as Alicia Leung.

She told reporters that she pretended to be dead in order to survive.

"Why did authorities not rescue us? There were so many of us on the bus. Why did no one come to rescue us? It is so cruel," she said.

In Manila, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said he had ordered an investigation, and would wait until it is completed before deciding whether anyone should lose his or her job.

In Hong Kong, officials and residents questioned how Filipino authorities had handled the hostage situation.

"This is a serious blow to Hong Kong people. We all feel very devastated," Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters Tuesday, saying that the government would soon announce community mourning events.

Four men and four women were killed in the standoff, authorities in Hong Kong said. One passenger was critically wounded and six others were hospitalized with less serious injuries after the 10-hour standoff erupted into gunfire, Tsang said.

The Hong Kong-based tour guide was among those who died, Hong Thai Travel said in a statement. Some of the victims were insured and would be compensated, the travel agency said.

The gunman released nine of the hostages, including a mother and her three children, a man with diabetes, and two photographers. The bus driver also escaped.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Tuesday that two of the released hostages were British nationals.

Manila police official Leocadio Santiago told CNN that Mendoza's family members spoke with him early in the standoff and that he appeared "very reasonable and very psychologically stable."

Mendoza was dismissed a year ago for extortion, Manila Vice Mayor Ikso Moreno said, and he wanted his motion for reconsideration to be heard.

"He felt that it was being neglected," Moreno said. "So he went on hostaging a bus full of foreign individuals. So when we talked to him this afternoon, that's what he wanted."

Moreno said that Mendoza's brother was arrested because he was "guilty of conspiring with his brother" and allegedly helped instigate the shooting.

Gordon said the brother's arrest may have pushed the gunman over the edge.

"When he saw his brother getting accosted by the policemen, he went berserk and he started firing," he said.

CNN's Sarita Harilela and journalists Constance Cheng, Maria Ressa and Arlene Samson-Espiritu contributed to this report.