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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Grief and Shame

I had migraine attacks most of the day yesterday and went to bed at 6. I didn't learn about the terrible tragedy until this morning. I am overcome by a tumult of emotions over what happened. It's mostly grief and sadness, but they are decidedly mixed with frustration, anger, shame, etc. Irresponsible sweeping statement alert (given at a time when judgment is colored with high emotions and it is best to hold off saying anything): How is the PNP supposed to gain the people's confidence when half of them seem to be the bad guys and the other half incompetent bumblers? So many things went so wrong when they didn't have to. The lack of - what's the word? training - is evident in everything from the major factors to the little details.

4 comments:

The Kano said...

It is very sad, and my Filipina wife and I share your frustrations about the way this was handled. I've tried to write about it a couple of times already on my blog, but can't seem to find the right words. Sadly, it seems to us that the PNP mishandled this situation terribly.

swirlyagelessmind said...

even the media got careless last night, one prominent news anchor even asked one of the field reporters what the pnp's strategy was...which prompted dad to exclaim in exasperation, "you shouldn't be asking that question!"

Sharkbytes said...

Uh... not all of us follow Philippine politics, but I'm sorry you feel bad.

spinninglovelydays said...

@Dave: I know. I actually deleted a good chunk of my original post because it was turning too political and ranty.

@Chip: I wonder if the media also reported about their own blunders.

@Sharkbytes: It wasn't really political - a sacked policeman hijacked a bus and held tourists from Hongkong hostage for 11 hours. It ended in the death of the hostage taker and 8 civilians. It was a tragedy that could have been avoided if the people who handled the situation had been better equipped and trained. :(