Ang kasalanan ni Juan ay kasalanan rin ni Pedro at ng lahat. This is the logic behind the massive outrage and anger directed at Filipinos over the botched hostage drama at the Quirino Grandstand Aug.23 that left eight
tourists dead, scores injured from bullets pumped by a dismissed ex-Philippine cop demanding to be reinstated to his old job.
But what makes this bloody standoff more painful was that it occurred in a hallowed and historic spot that was some 60 days ago the scene of a triumphant and glorious event in the nation’s history: the hope-filled
assumption to the Presidency of much-loved President Benigno ”Noynoy“ Aquino, whose father’s martyrdom, ironically was commemorated two days before (Aug.21) that fateful Quirino Grandstand massacre.
Because of the bungled handling of negotiations with the gunman, the inept and ill-equipped preparations of the police, what could have been preventable deaths became a bloodbath.
As a result, the fledgling Aquino presidency and the nation as well came under heavy fire from an understandably outraged Hong Kong and Chinese governments..
The hostage drama was viewed worldwide in television, headlined by the world’s leading newspapers and other media. In this, they too (the media) became part of the blame.
The nation’s leadership, collectively expressed its apology and dismay on the deaths of innocent tourists. Admitting that lapses have been committed by its police forces, it promised a full scale investigation. It also pulled all stops, so to speak to attend to the needs of the victims and their families. It even sent a high level government delegation to personally talk with Chinese officials but was rebuffed as the team was set to depart for Hong Kong.
However, for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government head Donald Tsang, this was not enough.
He immediately imposed a “Black travel alert“ on the Philippines, meaning that all of its citizens (both from Hong Kong and Mainland China) should avoid visiting the Philippines.
In so doing, he was making sure that the Philippines and its people are meted out punishment and become outcast to the world.
The Black travel alert is Hong Kong’s highest level of the so-called
3-sign outbound travel system “indicating a severe threat exist and all travel to destinations (in this case the Philippines) should be avoided“.
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OVERKILL, OVER REACTION: A similar travel ban raised by the Hong Kong government is also in effect against other countries but is less harsh than the “Black Travel Alert “. The countries of Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia and Thailand are on the list but are ranked two levels lower than the Philippines with Hong Kong travelers being advised to exercise caution. Why single out the Philippines with the severest travel ban? Could it be an overkill or overreaction? *******
SMACKS OF RACISM: a leading Chinese daily, the South China Morning Post, came to the rescue of the Philippines when it hinted that the Hong Kong government’s leadership seem to be politically motivated in imposing a travel ban against its Asian neighbour.
In its editorial titled “Wrong targets for our understandable anger “, it said
“There is understandable anger in Hong Kong towards the police tactical response team in Manila. Its efforts to end the hostage taking appeared to be farcical “.
“But what is not comprehensible is why people have vented their frustrations against Filipinos. They’ve done nothing wrong, after all . Such behaviour towards them smacks of racism. The response is knee jerk, but punishes the Filipinos as a race for an incident that has nothing to do with. TRAVEL
BANS ARE FOR SAFETY, NOT POLITICAL RETRIBUTION “ it said.
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TIT FOR TAT ? Again. If we are going for that logic that Filipinos deserves such condemnation, wouldn’t it be equally fair to bash Americans for their
culture of guns citing among others the Columbine massacre, the Texas random shootings or the Virginia Tech murders wherein innocent victims were also killed? Or shouldn’t we Filipinos also take to task in the most strongest terms Overseas Filipino Workers ( OFW) employer- nations for cases and incidents of maltreatment, abuse, rapes and even murders of our women specially caregivers who take care of their children and aged while their own children are growing up without a father or a mother?
Did we insult their presidents, their officials, like what they did to President Noynoy, calling him and the Filipinos as “cold blooded“ killers?
But then, amid the litany of insults heaped upon Filipinos, we have remained
admirably on the ground, our dignity intact despite the nasty name-calling.
And we hope forgiveness, understanding and goodwill will be forthcoming after this sad episode.
Note: As of press time, a huge rally in Hong Kong slammed the Philippine government for its failure in the Aug.23 hostage-taking incident. An estimated 50,000 protesters took to the streets denouncing the Philippine government. However, organizers cautioned protesters to refrain from carrying slogans bashing Filipinos and other racist remarks.
Edgy Filipino workers in the territory, fearful of reprisals were told not to worry and instead held their own memorial service for the eight Hong Kong tourist victims.
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MILESTONES AND EVENTS: A “Caracol “ highlighted the annual observance of the Feast of St.Augustine or “Tata Usteng“ to most Tanza, Cavite residents of Toronto. The event was held at the Earl Bales park last August 28 under the auspices of the Tanza, Cavite association of Canada
headed by Lope Perea, president.
B-DAYS : we wish Cucina restaurant entrepreneur Bong Capitin a “rocking birthday“, August 29. He was feted with a surprise party held at the Delta Chelsea hotel in downtown by his loving wife, Dr. Sally Capitin.
Also, birthday greetings to Mike Caducio, Philippine Courier columnist and lens man on September 1.
Alekos O. Soriano, youngest son of this writer also celebrated his natal day August 30.
Belated happy birthday goes to Glenn P. Soriano, eldest son of Gus and Nila Soriano of Scarborough.