Former Police Officer hijack bus to get job back

[thekfc]

I am also reading that the dead ex-policeman was shown in his coffin wrapped in full honors in the Philippine National Police uniform and the Philippine National Flag.  

[robert angel]

Jackie Chan is a great guy with guts to boot. He's a gift to the arts, sensitive and still a 'man's man'. I don't know how many times the guy's been injured doing his own stunts long after he became a big star and didn't have to, but he always picks himself up.

that said, I am sure he's not any where near perfect and in his 'profession' they'll either find dirt on you or make it up, or probably both. I'd go fishing with him over any American star any day, although Bruce Willis would round out a good fishing trio too, I figure....

I can't remember enjoying a G rated (not even PG13) movie as much in recent months as we enjoyed the "Karate Kid"--seemed there were at least as many grown ups as kids, all, laughing and even clapping in the theater. Chan played a bit outside of his typical role and I think he's worthy of Oscar consideration for it.

Will Smith, who also seems to carry himself rather well--his son really worked hard in that movie and also shows a lot of promise--Smith and his lovely wife seem to be able to remain 'family focused' despite being in one helluva spot light.

It's hard to tell reality from what we're fed with the 'stars', but that's the perception I get regarding those particular celebrities.

And do Filipinas love those magazines like "OK" and "People" or what? At least my wife realizes it's usually BS--otherwise, Jennifer Anniston would have had twelve babies by now and Brad and Angelina would've been married and divorced and remarried a dozen times.....

Before I was born, nobody wanted to know if Cary Grant was 'gay' or not--or who the USA President was or wasn't screwing on the side--my how times have changed....

[thekfc]

The thing is Jackie Chan didn't say anything wrong or offensive. I read what he wrote on his tweeter account.

All he said & I quote: "If they killed the guy sooner, they will say why not negotiate first? If they negotiate first, they ask why not kill the guy sooner? So sad,"

He then also urged Hong Kongers not to direct their anger at Filipinos living in Hong Kong.

Just for those 2 comments he is getting blasted & being called a traitor by some Hong Kongers.

[Dave H]

I am also reading that the dead ex-policeman was shown in his coffin wrapped in full honors in the Philippine National Police uniform and the Philippine National Flag.  

The police uniforms were his old ones, not new uniforms provided by the PNP or Philippine government for his viewing and burial! The Philippine Flag was placed on his coffin by family members and removed by the government. Those were his old awards, before he was terminated.

Dave

[thekfc]

The police uniforms were his old ones, not new uniforms provided by the PNP or Philippine government for his viewing and burial! The Philippine Flag was placed on his coffin by family members and removed by the government. Those were his old awards, before he was terminated.

Dave

Thanks for clarifying - none of what you said was ever mentioned. As always, we are only getting half the picture (you know how the medias work  ) & we need someone "close(r) by" to give me more (better) details. 

[Ray]

Thanks for clarifying - none of what you said was ever mentioned. As always, we are only getting half the picture...

kfc,

That’s essentially what I read in the news, like Dave reported.

I generally only pay attention to Philippine news sources for the real story on happenings over there.

Warning…Opinion: Most all of the US news media has lost all credibility with me because they have become nothing more than leftist hacks.
(Rant off)   

From SunStar:
*****
Weeping family buries hostage-taker

TANAUAN, BATANGAS -- Weeping relatives and friends on Saturday buried the dismissed policeman who took a busload of Hong Kong tourists hostage and was shot in a bungled police rescue operation that left eight of the hostages dead.

About 1,000 people joined the funeral procession for Rolando Mendoza under a blazing afternoon sun in his hometown in Tanauan City, south of Manila.

Many wept and Mendoza's widow wailed loudly as pallbearers carried his white casket out of a church, his body dressed in his police uniform.

Mendoza, 55, was a decorated officer once cited as one of the Philippines' 10 outstanding policemen. He was dismissed from the police force last year on charges of extortion and grave threats.

Last Monday, armed with an M-16 assault rifle and a pistol, he seized a bus carrying 20 Hong Kong tourists, a tour guide and four Filipinos to demand his reinstatement.

He released nine hostages early in the nearly 12-hour drama, but police said he shot the remaining hostages after negotiations broke down and police assaulted the bus. Eight hostages were killed and seven were rescued.

"When he took hostages, all his decorations lost their meaning," Philippine National Police spokesman Agrimero Cruz said Friday.

The incident enraged China, whose foreign minister urged Manila to complete an investigation as soon as possible.

President Benigno Aquino III has "begged for understanding" and ordered a thorough investigation. He also promised to punish those responsible.

Manila police Chief Rodolfo Magtibay told a Senate hearing on Thursday that he gave the assault order after Mendoza began shooting inside the bus.

Magtibay has taken leave and four leaders of the assault team have been relieved pending an investigation. Officials have said the firearms used by 200 police commandos will be tested to see if any of the hostages were hit by police gunfire.

China expressed strong indignation on Friday after the Philippine flag was placed on Mendoza's coffin, saying he did not deserve the honor.

Philippine officials denied allowing the flag to be draped on the coffin and a government employee on Friday went to Mendoza's residence, where a wake was held, and took the flag away.

Philippine officials are also bracing for an economic backlash after Hong Kong authorities urged citizens not to travel to the country.

About 140,000 Hong Kong tourists usually visit the Philippines annually. But national carrier Philippine Airlines said more than 500 tourists from Hong Kong and China had already canceled their bookings by the end of the week.

Concerns also were raised about the future of more than 100,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong, mostly as maids.

At Mendoza's funeral on Saturday his son, Bismark, who is also a police officer, tearfully saluted as his father's coffin was lowered into the grave.

He had earlier apologized for his father's action and expressed hope that good relations with Hong Kong citizens could be developed in the future.

"On behalf of my family, I feel very sorry for the loss of your countrymen," he told a group of Hong Kong journalists on Thursday.

During the funeral service, the Rev. Godofredo Mendoza, who is not related to the former officer, asked for prayers "for all who died" and that for Mendoza "to receive God's forgiveness." (AP)
*****

[thekfc]

Thanks Ray.

What I read was completely different, none of that was mentioned. The way they worded it, they made it sound like the guy had full military/police honors at his funeral. That is what I get for "relying" on US news sources for international events something I usually do not do.
I did ask my wife but she didn't know & her nieces & nephews were at school/work. Also the other Filipino online sources that I usually read didn't have coverage of the funeral (now they do).

I have bookmark SunStar & from now on will include it as one of my sources.

 

[Henry]

A policeman, eh? So he didnt stop to think how ineffective this strategy would be for getting his job back???

[z_k_g]

A policeman, eh? So he didnt stop to think how ineffective this strategy would be for getting his job back???

"If you don't meet my demands I'll shoot myself in the Head!!"

Zulu

[michaelb]

"If you don't meet my demands I'll shoot myself in the Head!!"

Zulu

Hey, it worked for Sheriff Bart back in 1974.

 

[Dave H]

They showed Rolando Mendoza's father sobbing uncontrollably on TV here. I am sure that many news organizations throughout the world (especially in Hong Kong and the US) portrayed him as only grieving over the loss of his son. I am sure that he was to some degree. Since my wife can understand the language, she told me what he was saying. He said over and over how sorry he was for the victims and their families for what his son did!

Strange MANY OFW's are abused and killed in Hong Kong, but nobody there seems to give a damn! I thought that people in Hong Kong were more reasonable and civilized than perhaps they actually are. Even Jackie Chan may get "kicked" out for not hating Filipinos!  http://jackiechan.com/scrapbook/1061068--Statement-of-Aplogy-from-Jackie-Chan Filipinos here are very worried that people in Hong Kong will seek revenge and retaliate against innocent Filipinos! In small ways (so far) it is already happening. They have told Filipinos that being "sorry" is not good enough! Filipinos traveling through Hong Kong are being treated rudely...perhaps that is normal for them.

The Hong Kong government is discouraging their citizens from traveling to the Philippines by issuing a "Black - Severe Threat" (avoid all travel) Outbound Travel Alert (OTA) for an what was an isolated incident. http://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/ota/index.htm It seems to be more of a threat to the Philippine government that "if you don't do what pleases us, you will lose our tourist dollars!" No problem...we have already canceled our Hong Kong Disney trip plans (12 people). Instead we will spend our money in Japan. Besides, we find the Japanese people to be very polite and nice!

Dave


   

[Dave H]

http://jackiechan.com/scrapbook/1061068--Statement-of-Aplogy-from-Jackie-Chan

First of all, I’d like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims in Hong Kong affected by the tragedy in the Philippines. Maybe what I said wasn’t very clear and it was misunderstood. The content in my Twitter account was posted by my American assistant on my behalf, but after interpretation the posts did not entirely capture what I truly meant to say.

What happened to the Hong Kong tourists in the Philippines - being taken hostage and then killed - was a terrible and heartbreaking tragedy. I am 100% Chinese and I’m from Hong Kong. I feel grief and pain for the Hong Kong citizens who lost their lives during this unfortunate incident, and I deeply sympathize with the families who have lost their loved ones. I sincerely hope that those injured during the ordeal will get well soon.

What I wanted to convey was that I won’t hate Filipino people as a result of this tragic incident. There are several hundred thousand Filipinos working in Hong Kong, and there are quite a few Hong Kong people working in the Philippines as well. If we start hating each other, it will cause great damage to both Hong Kong and the Philippines.

As for whether or not the Filipino police in charge of the incident should be held responsible for not handling the situation appropriately, of course I don’t need to comment on this matter; this should be left to the experts in this area.

If I have caused any misunderstanding or discontent because of my incomplete thoughts and feelings posted on Twitter, I would like to express my deepest and most sincere apology.

Text Copyright 2010 The JC Group
All Rights Reserved

[Dave H]

[Bob_S]

we have already canceled our Hong Kong Disney trip plans (12 people). Instead we will spend our money in Japan. Besides, we find the Japanese people to be very polite and nice!

You might want to hold off that trip a while.  My wife's friend just got back from Japan near the Tokyo area and complained of unbearable heat and humidity.  Early autumn will bring cooler and more pleasant days for walking around and fighting the crowds.

[Jeff S]

Remember he's coming from the Philippines. It'll probably feel like air conditioning to him. But I do agree with you, Japan in the summer is no fun. Best time is mid Sept through June - with October and late April early May (sakura season) being my favorite months.

[Dave H]

Hey Bob,

We are thinking about going autumn to Disney. It is still too hot to go anywhere outdoors in the Philippines now, but is starting to cool off a bit. We will be going to Cebu next week...we may get to Bohol and the Chocolate Hills if the weather is nice.

Dave

[Bob_S]

It is still too hot to go anywhere outdoors in the Philippines now, but is starting to cool off a bit.

Down from 45ºC to 43ºC? 

[Dave H]

Down from 45ºC to 43ºC? 

Hey Bob,

Something like that! Everyone keeps telling how cold the weather is getting and people are getting sick because of it. (even doctors) I didn't notice much change...our aircons still strain day and night just to keep the house warm. 

Dave

[Capstone]

We are thinking about going autumn to Disney.

Hey Dave,

It's much better to go to Tokyo Disney than Hong Kong Disney anyway - the HK Disney is so small that it isn't worth the trip. If you are in HK and want to go to a theme park then hit Ocean Park instead of Disney - it will be a much more enjoyable experience.

[Dave H]

Thanks Cap!

I didn't know that! I personally just want to see Jackie Chan...but if he gets kicked out of Hong Kong...     My wife, daughter, wife's mother and sister have all been to Disney World in Florida. I think the kids (son, nieces and nephews) would like the Magic Kingdom. We have been invited to stay with relatives in Japan, so if we do Disney, we will probably go to Japan.

Dave