Hostage Taking At Quirino Grandstand Updated

August 23, 2010- The Philippines is faced again with another crisis. A former 10 outstanding policeman of the Philippines awardee, Captain hostaged a tourist bus containing Hong Kong nationals. The hostage started at 7 AM in the morning and is still in progress this time, 8:30 PM. The hostage taker, Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza told the media the reason for hostaging- his dismissal from the service due to robbery extortion charges.

After hearing 4 to 5 gunshots from inside the bus, the driver of the bus was able to escape and eventually told the police authorities that all people inside the bus were already killed. Police authorities then tried to penetrate the bus by breaking the windows and using the emergency door of the bus as entry point but to no avail because the hostage taker shoots at every police who attempts to go inside the bus.

Just now 8:55 PM, the bus was already penetrated by the police and currently saving the hostages. There seems to be people who are alive. Paramedics are on stand by and the hostage victims are said to bring the victims to the Ospital Ng Maynila.

Here is the collection of videos regarding the hostage taking at Quirino Grandstand.

Watch the videos:

“God save the Philippines from Joseph Ejercito Estrada”

A rather intriguing comment that was released by Senataor Panfilo “Ping” Lacson during his privilege speech at the Senate on Monday, September 14. Senator Lacson promised to expose a different side of the former Philippine President Estrada and promptly talked about the man’s earlier actions during the time he was the country’s leader. According to Senator Lacson, Estrada has issued direct orders to agencies ranging from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF). The senator also talked about the killings that were dubbed “Oplan Delta” which involved the Bubby Dacer – Emmanuel Corbito slay case.

Lacson has also talked about Estrada’s involvement in the illegal game “jueteng” and hinted that Estrada may be responsible for Operation Delta which occurred during 2000. The senator said that during his appointment as chief of the Philippine National Police, Estrada has strongly hinted that Lacson should give way to the jueteng operations or put his current position in jeopardy.

Before his privilege speech, Lacson informed reporters that Estrada and his followers were trying to influence him, going so far as to ask him to postpone the privilege speech and give way to a private talk between him and the former president. Lacson then commented that he had to “unburden” himself with the insights to Estrada. The speech was ended with “God save the Philippines from Joseph Ejercito Estrada”, hinting on the fact the former president is pushing for reelection in the 2010 polls.

Estrada’s son, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada contradicted Lacson’s statements and is bound to counter the allegations through his own privilege speech. Senator Jinggoy’s privilege speech is now much anticipated, however, it might be better if the rebuff came from Estrada himself – the principal party – rather than from his son.

Hacienda Luisita and Noynoy

A search around some Philippine Forum finds you both phrases and detrimental comments regarding the latest candidate for the Presidential race. Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino who has declared his intent to run for president on the 2010 elections was being commented on by people about the “Hacienda Luisita” event. However, the Senator has recently expressed that the Hacienda Luisita may have to be left because of the large debt incurred through the party because of labor disputes. The Hacienda Luisita has been owned by the Cojuangco-Aquino clan for 50 years and may now be facing financial difficulties. Activists have been asking for a statement from Senator Noynoy regarding the matter of Hacienda Luisita, criticizing the clan because they did not put the estate under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Incidentally, the program was the focus of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, Noynoy’s mother. Now, they are asking for Senator Noynoy to state his position regarding agrarian reform.

This is only one of the demands asked for Senatoy Noynoy Aquino after he has declared his bid for presidency on the exact 40th day of his mother’s demise. Others demand that the senator introduces his specific platform for presidency. However, it seems that right now the sole Aquino male is concentrating on communing with the D and E classes. Noynoy has been visiting squatters situated in Quezon City and it seems that Noynoy is being welcomed by the masses. According to Noynoy, he was informed that he is currently well regarded in some surveys which were done nationwide. He added that the survey was not conducted by the Liberal Party in which he is the standard bearer.

Visits to the poor were usually done by former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada who has also expressed desired to run for president in 2010. According to Noynoy, talks with Estrada are not out of the picture.

Long after the words “I accept the call of the people” passes Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s lips did supports from various people became apparent. It seems that the “Cory Magic” which has inspired Philippines during to launch EDSA I is once again evident and quite possibly translated into “Noynoy Magic”. The only son of former president Corazon “Cory” and Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino has formally announced his candidacy for president in the upcoming 2010 elections on Wednesday at the Club Filipino. During the event, a can was distributed around the clubhouse for a fund raising dubbed “Piso-piso for Noynoy”. Another fund drive “Tiyanggehan for Change Politics” was launched by a civil society group headed by the former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman. It seems that many non-political friends Noynoy are eager to help with the campaign as the former chair of Civil Service Commission Karina David said that after Noynoy’s announcement, text messages volunteering help started coming in numbers.

However, after Aquino’s much anticipated declaration, the question is now about who will be the running mate of what most people considers the most promising candidate. Aquino informed the public that he has already asked Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas to be his running mate. Roxas was the first politician who has given way and publicly declared to throw his support for Noynoy days before the male Aquino has stated his campaign for presidency. However, specific decisions are not yet resolved.

Adding to the list of people who have given way for Aquino is Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan who was hoping to run for vice president next year, along with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay who was running for the presidency slot. Priest turned governer Ed Panlilio has already expressed that he will not be running for presidency next year. However, two more are presidential hopefuls have not yet backed down from the race, namely Senator Manny Villar and former President Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada.