Lingering horror
ON August 23, 2011, prayers were offered for the victims of the Manila bus hostage-taking incident. Families of the victims and survivors arrived last Aug. 21 to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy.
Armed with an M-16 rifle, then dismissed police captain Rolando Mendoza took the lives of eight Hong Kong tourists who were visiting the country for a tour of Manila’s scenic spots.
The ill-fated day became a painful tragedy.
The 11-hour standoff soured ties between Hong Kong and the Philippines. A travel ban to the Philippines has been imposed by Hong Kong authorities and is still effective to this day.
On the surface, the Aug. 23 bus siege at the Quirino Grandstand is just a fiasco of averting tragedy in the face of a seemingly ordinary hostage crisis. The deeper aspect may be more repugnant and grinding strong.
The incompetence of the justice system and national security here in the Philippines continues to be a concern for the international community. As explained by the legal term “Res ipsa loquitor,” the evidence speaks for itself.
As upsetting as it may seem, changes to a law is usually a result of ugly crimes, rather than a rigid and abstract review of policy. The gaping flaws in the judiciary make it all the more important for leaders to step up and take the heat.
Raising issues in the current justice and security systems should not exploit nor politicize the horror of Quirino Grandstand. The country’s justice system has serious systemic problems, notwithstanding, the valiant efforts made by the government in collaboration with international partners.
The Philippine judiciary faces many challenges: poor remuneration, corruption, low morale, outdated legislation, understaffing, and budgetary constraints have hampered the justice system from capitalizing on its full potential.
Boosting the judiciary’s budget, adherence to national and international statutes are some of the key recommendations to improve the country’s justice system.
Remuneration can boost morale. An adequate budgetary allocation is a big step to deal with other manifold problems. Every effort must be made to curb corruption at all levels of the force which in turn will improve the country’s national security and image.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Aug 24-26, 2011 Sec A pg. 6)
In a world shelved by ambiguity, there are a few core values that must be profitably kept in the forefront of our minds as we ride the rollercoaster of unfolding events. Openness is something to be strived for.
Violence and crime should be held in check to the furthest extent possible. The reality of the tragedy and what to do about it is what matters, not how many empty speeches are made about it.
The Aug. 23 incident sets a standard demanded by the public as perfection (in the country’s justice system and national security) even though such standard is virtually impossible. Anyone in the world wants to be safe. But we should also realize that any crime is capable of seeking out loopholes in our security, and exploiting them.
Nothing can erase the loss of eight people from that unfortunate day. But a promise of reformed justice system in the country for the benefit of both parties – the victims and the perpetrator – brings a measure of healing.
(AJPress)
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