Quirino Grandstand Hostage Drama
I. INTRODUCTION
Although the history of kidnapping and hostage-taking is a very long one, it is only relatively recently that there has been a systematic attempt to understand the effects, both long-term and short-term, on individuals and their families. This is an important issue for clinical and academic reasons. The advice of mental health professionals is sought with increasing frequency with regard to the strategic management of hostage incidents and the clinical management of those who have been abducted. There is evidence to suggest that how best to help those who have been taken hostage is a sensitive and complex matter, and those who deal with such individuals should be as well informed as possible since such events can have long-term adverse consequences, particularly on young children.
The Manila hostage crisis, officially known as the Rizal Park hostage-taking incident occurred when a dismissed Philippine National Police officer took over a tourist bus in Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines on August 23, 2010. Disgruntled former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza of the Manila Police District (MPD) hijacked a tourist bus carrying 25 people (20 tourists and a tour guide from Hong Kong, and four Filipinos) in an attempt to get his job back. He said that he had been summarily and unfairly dismissed, and that all he wanted was a fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself.
Negotiations broke down dramatically about ten hours into the stand-off, when the police arrested Mendoza 's brother and thus incited him to open fire. As the shooting began, the bus driver managed to escape, and was shown on television saying "Everyone is dead" before being whisked away by policemen. Mendoza and eight of the hostages were killed and a number of others injured. The MPD 's failed rescue attempt and gun-battle with the hijacker, which took around 90 minutes, were watched by millions on live television and the internet.
The Philippine and Hong Kong governments
Although the history of kidnapping and hostage-taking is a very long one, it is only relatively recently that there has been a systematic attempt to understand the effects, both long-term and short-term, on individuals and their families. This is an important issue for clinical and academic reasons. The advice of mental health professionals is sought with increasing frequency with regard to the strategic management of hostage incidents and the clinical management of those who have been abducted. There is evidence to suggest that how best to help those who have been taken hostage is a sensitive and complex matter, and those who deal with such individuals should be as well informed as possible since such events can have long-term adverse consequences, particularly on young children.
The Manila hostage crisis, officially known as the Rizal Park hostage-taking incident occurred when a dismissed Philippine National Police officer took over a tourist bus in Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines on August 23, 2010. Disgruntled former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza of the Manila Police District (MPD) hijacked a tourist bus carrying 25 people (20 tourists and a tour guide from Hong Kong, and four Filipinos) in an attempt to get his job back. He said that he had been summarily and unfairly dismissed, and that all he wanted was a fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself.
Negotiations broke down dramatically about ten hours into the stand-off, when the police arrested Mendoza 's brother and thus incited him to open fire. As the shooting began, the bus driver managed to escape, and was shown on television saying "Everyone is dead" before being whisked away by policemen. Mendoza and eight of the hostages were killed and a number of others injured. The MPD 's failed rescue attempt and gun-battle with the hijacker, which took around 90 minutes, were watched by millions on live television and the internet.
The Philippine and Hong Kong governments
References: 1.First Report of the INCIDENT INVESTIGATION and REVIEW COMMITTEE on the August, 23, 2010 Rizal Park Hostage-taking Incident: SEQUENCE OF EVENTS, EVALUATION and RECOMMENDATIONS, Incident Investigation and Review Committee, September 16, 2010, pp. 9–10, 16, 22, 24. 2."Hong Kong criticizes handling of Manila hostage crisis". Reuters. August 23, 2010. http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/08/23/us-philippines-hostage-hongkong-idUSTRE67M35B20100823. Retrieved July 14, 2011. 3.Mair, John; Blanchard, Ben (August 24, 2010). "Philippines defends handling of bus hostage crisis". International Business Times. 4.http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/45880/20100824/philippines-defends-handling-of-bus-hostage-crisis.htm. Retrieved August 24, 2010. 5."Manila hostage incident victim name list". Hong Kong 's Information Services Department Press Release. August 24, 2010. http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201008/24/P201008240172.htm. Retrieved August 24, 2010. 6."PNP statement on the hostage-taking incident at Quirino Grandstand, August 23, 2010, as of 1:14 pm". Philippine National Police. http://www.gov.ph/2010/08/23/pnp-statement-on-the-hostage-incident-at-quirino-grandstand-august-23-2010-as-of-114-pm/. Retrieved August 23, 2010. 7. Professor David A. Alexander, Aberdeen Centre for Trauma Research, Faculty of Health and Social Care, The Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen AB10 7QG, UK. Email: d.a.alexander@rgu.ac.uk