Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Primetime hostage crisis ends terribly

8 Hong Kong tourists killed in hostage crisis

Manila police defend handling of deadly hostage crisis

Statement of President Aquino on the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis


With the uninterrupted coverage of media organizations of the hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand last Monday, the President said former senior police inspector Rolando Mendoza was given “blow-by-blow” developments affecting his area, including the strategic deployment of the security forces.

President implies media coverage only helped hostage-taker


At this point, he threatened to kill a hostage. The police decided to remove the brother from the scene. As the negotiators were departing, the negotiators were shot at. Media coverage of his brother being taken into custody further agitated the hostage-taker.
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Yes, there was a TV inside the tourist bus.


7 comments:

petrufied said...

It's so sad! D: I guess media people were just thinking: SCOOP!! without considering how too much coverage can affect such a crisis.

WillyJ said...

Imagine, telegraphing every move of the SWAT team to the hostage-taker. What were they thinking??

The live footage run up to hours on end right down to the crucial moments and its sad conclusion. Even crazier, no one among the higher-ups realized the huge folly to put a stop to it.

Anonymous said...

Hi,
That's exactly what happened in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The terrorists knew what the police wanted to do because they televised everything, even the police strategy sessions. You'd think the police should have learned by now. But maybe it's become a best practice for the media? Whoever said responsible journalism has to include responsibility?
- TE

sunnyday said...

Well, I'm getting some satisfaction now after seeing a few comments pointing out that media could have shown more restraint instead of "feasting" on what was going on, particularly concerning Mendoza's brother and family.

I also read a comment that stated that BBC News was asking why the Philippine media had to broadcast everything instead of considering what this would do to the families of the victims. Well, all I can say is, ratings seem to be the determining factor in these cases.

Maybe even if someone from one TV network realized the folly, the person would think they would be beaten by the competition, so pulling back would be silly :-(

At the same time, I wish police would be more courageous and insistent in controlling the media and the crowd in such instances.

sunnyday said...

P.S. How did the bus driver manage to escape when he was supposedly handcuffed to the steering wheel? I still haven't come across any info regarding this detail.

WillyJ said...

TE,
The German police wasn't exactly successful in that rescue attempt either. Perhaps the media in general have trouble understanding "highly confidential" along with the word "responsible".

sunnyday,
Strange about that handcuffed driver...
I'm waiting for the media outfits to come out and justify their actions. I think it's indefensible, but I'm interested in how they wiggle out of this one, especially since PNoy has voiced out his criticism. Like our Ms Universe contestant says -- "..major,major problem".

sunnyday said...

Well, I learned at the beauty parlor recently that the driver used a ... yikes, I forgot what... a small knife or a nail file ba? Something like that -- to unlock the handcuffs. It could be seen during some portions of the live feed daw.

This incident happened only 3 days ago, but it seems so much has transpired since then. So much negativity too and it is tiring. I hope we get some really wonderful news soon for a change.