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The buck stops where? C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 09/06/2010

Monday, September 6, 2010

The buck stops where?

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S
Jonathan De la Cruz
09/06/2010
So, who decided against giving in to hostage taker Rolando Mendoza’s demand that he be reinstated even temporarily in exchange for the release of the hostages that fateful Monday two weeks ago?

This question is being asked after the deputy negotiator, Chief Insp. Romeo Salvador, revealed on the second day of the clarificatory hearings of the five man investigating panel headed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that Mendoza confided to him as much. On questioning by panel member IBP Governor Roan Libarios, Salvador narrated that as early as lunchtime that Monday Mendoza told him he just needed a temporary reinstatement order to release the hostages since he also realized that he would be charged and detained anyway for the hostage taking. Unfortunately, as Salvador sadly narrated, the “higher ups” failed to act on the information at that time only to find out that a reinstatement order was issued later on when the crisis has turned into a carnage.

So, why did the crisis committee not take the offer right there and then and resolved the crisis pronto? That is the sixty four dollar question which the panel is now obligated to prove to spare us all the wailing and self flagellation which have been attending this tragedy for sometime now. P-Noy need not own up to the mistakes of his bumbling and finger pointing subordinates and lesser officials who should know better than hide behind his back propping him up as their apologist instead of the other way around. 

Who disregarded the Mendoza offer and why? This is the one question which needs to be answered now before the De Lima panel and, yes, the eager beaver Palace subordinates lead the public through another round of psycho-babbling and self flagellation. Was it Colonel Yebra, the chief negotiator? As a trained negotiator, did he think Mendoza’s offer a ploy to buy time and gain advantage? Or, did he keep the information to himself hoping that he can spring it and gain clearance for its implementation at a more appropriate time?.... MORE

SourceThe Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100906com4.html

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