The Philippines had yet another worldwide publicity stint when a dismissed policeman hijacked a tourist bus carrying Hong Kong and Chinese nationals sometime before 11am of Monday, August 23. The hostage crisis lasted for more than 12 hours and ended up in a gruesome death of at least ten people including the hostage taker, Rolando Mendoza who was then about to retire on January 2011.
The Philippines had all the attention not just from media personalities but from people of all walks of life. A large number of people waited for the aftermath of the hostage drama, only to found out that a sniper had already hit the hostage and that some of the tourists have already been killed.
Now, what does this have to say about our country? That we have such stupid police officers like Rolando Mendoza, be-medalled and once cited as one of the top cops in the country? The situation only worsened our image as a country.
Hong Kong, in effect, has blacklisted the Philippines as a tourist destination and has even encouraged its people who are still in the Philippines to immediately leave and be extra cautious. China is demanding answers and explanations from the Philippine government now. Some Hong Kong newspapers have also released statements encouraging people to avoid Philippines . China also issued the same warning to its people.
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