Analysts: Philippine leadership wilts under hostage crisis spotlight
Protesters deface the entrance to the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong with placards and posters criticising the Manila police on August 24, 2010 a day after eight Hong Kong tourists were killed by a gunman in a bus hijacking in Manila. AFP / MIKE CLARKE
(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."
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ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS
To the newscasters and interviewers of ANC, including Maria Rezza, Failon, and my Chinese friend - ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS. Your questions are WIMPY and WEAK. When you interview the Vice-Mayor of Manila, ask him why (as he said in his first interview on ABS-CBN) he took it upon himself, like the lone ranger, in violation of standards and procedures, and which is probably illegal, to take actions that are surely self-serving, egoistic, publicity-seeking stunt in a situation like this. Review his 1st interview on ABS-CBN.
To your viewers, look at the facts: President Aquino has only been in office less than 2 months. What happened to the training and equipment that should have been done long time before Aquino's time? Sino ang KUMARAKOT n'ong pera for the police training and modernizing of equipment?
AQUINO NOT TO BLAME
In defense of President Aquino, he has been in office less than 2 months. It takes more than that to train the police to handle hostage-taking situations - many months, and even years. SO THE QUESTION IS - Why were the police UN-TRAINED and ILL-EQUIPPED? Where did the money for their training and equipment go?
To the minority congressman in the House of Representatives, please answer this: Who is to be blamed for the ill-preparedness and lack of equipment of the police. Be honest.
SAAN PO NAPUNTA 'YONG DAPAT GINAMIT SA TRAINING at KAGAMITAN NG MGA POLICE? SAAN GINASTA? OR BETTER YET, SINO ANG NANGURAKOT?????
THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT
IS TRYING THEIR BEST TO SUBDUED THE SITUATION. WHEN SOMEONE IS INSANE AND NOT IN THE RIGHT MIND, THINGS WILL GET OUT OF HAND. NOT EVEN THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD CAN STOP IT.
STOP BLAMING THE GOVERNMENT AND LET US TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE THIS CRISIS A LESSON LEARN TO ALL.
WHO CARES ABOUT WHAT THE HONGKONG CITIZEN THINK, THEY NEED TO CLEAN THEIR CLOSET ALSO. THEIR SINS AND DOINGS (INJUSTICE) ARE WORST THAN OURS.
THE DAMAGED WAS DONE AND NO WAY TO UNDO THE SITUATION BUT TO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE. THIS IS A LESSON LEARN FOR US ALL AND I HOPE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND GO OUT AND ABOUT WITH OUR DAILY LIVES.
CONDOLENCES TO THE VICTIMS AND TO THE FAMILY OF THE ACCUSED.
LET'S MOVE ON WITH OUR LIVES.
HONGKONG CHINESE MAKE A FOOL OF THEMSELVES
Filipino-Chinese civil rights activist Teresita Ang-See said the Chinese do not easily forget an incident like that which happened last August 23, especially if it was something that could have otherwise been prevented.
MS ANG-SEE, WHY DON'T YOU DISCUSS THE TIBETANS AND UGHUR ETHNIC CLEANSING THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN DOING FOR DECADES? THIS INJUSTICE COULD BE PREVENTED ALSO IF I MAY REMIND YOU.
DO YOU THINK THE WHOLE WORLD WILL FORGET ALL THE KILLINGS AND SILENCING OF THE ACTIVIST AND JOURNALIST IN CHINA?
WHY DON'T YOU CONCENTRATE ON GETTING JUSTICE FOR THE TIBETANS AND UGHUR ETHNIC INSTEAD?
Most Filipinos Lack Leadership
Even if we train the media, the police, or the SWAT, this country lacks courageous and honest leaders that love this country. I am not talking about the government but regular individuals that have the patience to teach others and be a good example. Most of the people that know better end up leaving this country or too afraid to step up. That is why we are left with low paid police officers that bribe their way to passing the psychiatric evaluation. Some Filipinos would’ve known the right thing to do during the hostage-crisis but they were not present nor were they the experts in handling the situation. The lack of courageous and honest leadership in Filipinos is the reason why doing the wrong thing became the norm like taking pictures by the Grandstand or bribing the police or corruption.
We needed an international hostage crisis to realize how our standards are so low and “incompetent” compared to other countries. If we are truly sorry that this event happened, this is the best time for every Filipino to change and offer help selflessly. We brought this international humiliation upon our country by turning our head away or blaming others. Benigno Aquino Jr. once said, “the Filipinos are worth dying for”. What our current president needs to say now is “Love your country because it’s the only one we got”. Being proud to be a Filipino relates to people that go abroad and represents our race. Loving our country means improving our culture, defending our reputation and setting the standards for other citizens.
You cannot even understand, but just resort to insults
I'm afraid you there can't even get the point. If Beijing is so enraged to demand an explanation from our government, then they should also consider that in their own crisis, they did not listen nor respond to global reaction. Now do you get it?
I doubt you can however with the way you blog.
Manger, ayan diyan kayo
Manger, ayan diyan kayo magaling pag napuna pilit ninyo nililihis ang usapan. Walang kinalaman ang Tiananmen square sa hostage tragedy na naganap. Katulad ka rin ng idolo mo na itinurong mas malala raw ang nangyareng hostage taking noon sa Munich olympics at Russia. Pareho kayong abnoy!
The Aquino goverment listened and responded to criticisms
The positive response of the government is a step in the right direction. And inspite of the tragedy, the attempt to negotiate with the hostage taker was a right move. If the police had responded with force at the onset, much more lives may have been lost.
Perhaps Beijing should consider that before lambasting the Philippines. After all, they handled Tiananmen much worse, didn't they?
But what's worse is seeing Filipinos being much more disrespectful and rude with remarks. Good thing they are only a minority who can't understand clearly.
Ang Tagal Naman
Kinda weird. Bakit hindi pa rin sinisi ni Penoy si GMA sa nangyari? Sorry, medyo sanay na kasi ako na basta may kapalpakan si his holiness penoy, si GMA ang may kasalanan. Comm Group you're not doing your homework! Mag release na kayo ng official statement blaming GMA!!!
I will reply
President Aquino has been in office less than 2 months when the incident occurred. You cannot train the police for a hostage situation for 2 months. That two months may even not be enough to buy modern equipment. THE QUESTION IS - Who should have trained and equipped the police to handle situations like this? AND if money was alloted for police training and modern equipment, where did the money go? Who spent the money and for what? NAKURAKOT NA NAMAN!!! Now, with that in mind can you blame this on Aquino? If not, who? Wake Up!!!