Veiled criticism of security forces at inter-faith mass in Manila
Chinese ambassador attends mass for eight Chinese nationals killed in Manila bus siege
Manila: Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao joined an estimated 5,000 people at an inter-faith mass for the eight Chinese nationals from Hong Kong killed during a tragic hostage-taking in Manila's tourist district on August 23.
"This terrible case is also calling out to heaven for justice. Not only the Chinese [nationals] are calling for a just and swift investigation of this case. We Filipinos demand the same from our officials. Bring out the truth; let those responsible, whoever they maybe, be held accountable [for the bungled rescue operation of the hostage incident]," said Manila Auxiliary (Catholic) Bishop Broderick Pabillo.
"[We are asking for a] new life for our police and the armed forces [and it means] not just to get more sophisticated arms or to get more training [for them]. It is, above all, [for them] to have deep love and respect for human rights and life itself," said Pabillo.
It was an apparent veiled criticism of the security forces' inability to save the lives of the eight hostages.
"The media is not measured by its ‘live' and ‘exclusive' coverage. Respect for authority, respect for life and the protection of basic rights are also to be considered," Pabillo added, in a possible reference to allegations by the authorities that the live coverage of radio and TV only exacerbated the inability of the Philippine police to handle the hostage-taking incident.
At 9am on August 23, a dismissed police officer, who was fully armed, Rolando Mendoza, took over a bus with 25 tourists, including three Filipino assistants. He released nine of them and allegedly killed eight hostages. Mendoza, himself, was killed from a gunshot wound to head.
At Luneta Park, Catholic Church leaders including a Buddhist monk from Taiwan, jointly blessed the spot where the ill-fated bus was parked.
Government officials and some 170 members of the Manila Police District offered flowers and lit candles at the spot.
The crowd included students from nearby schools in Manila, members of the Filipino-Chinese community in Metro Manila, government officials, and staff members of Manila City Hall.
