Opinion: Bus Hostage-Taking by A Dismissed Policeman

As quoted from Yahoo News by Jim Gomez:

“MANILA, Philippines – A 12-hour hostage stand-off on a hijacked Philippine bus ended in bloodshed Monday, with officials saying at least seven Chinese tourists were dead along with the disgruntled ex-policeman who seized their vehicle in a bid to get his job back. 

The crisis began when the dismissed policeman, Rolando Mendoza, 55, armed with a M16 rifle seized the busload of Hongkong tourists to demand his reinstatement in the force. 

According to newspaper reports from 2008, he was among five officers who had been charged with robbery, extortion and grave threats after a Manila hotel chef filed a complaint alleging the policemen falsely accused him of using drugs to extort money.” 

This is only my own opinion based on my understanding for what had happened after reading the whole story from Yahoo News.

Rolando Mendoza, a dismissed policeman is 55 years old. I think Rolando Mendoza is due for retirement based on his age. The age limit for retirement in the Philippines is 60 years old. Perhaps, he served the government police force more or less than 30 years in service. Whoever is dismissed from his job with less or more than 30 years in service will be unable to get his benefits. It means zero benefits.

I think that’s the reason why he decided to do a wrong decision to hijack a tourist bus. His decision for reinstatement was wrong that cost his life and life of the hostages. From what I know, after a year, he can file a reinstatement within the police force. When a policeman is reinstated, he can now file for retirement benefits within due process for the grievance of his case.


Again, this is only my own opinion and understanding.

1 comment

  1. oh my gosh...thanks for sharing....:) btw, salamat sa birthday greetings....:)

    hope you can join my giveaway contest again!

    ReplyDelete