The grim outcome of last week’s hostage drama was made worse with embarrassing execution of
maneuvers by the SWAT team that seem to put a doubt on the quality of training the police recruits get.
Because of the detailed and live coverage of the situation, the suspect probably had a very good source
of information on the situation outside the bus because it had a TV set — while the police probably didn’t
have a clue on what was going on inside.
The SWAT team approached the bus and the event was broadcast live by the various TV stations. The
suspect only had to look at the TV set to know the positions of the assault teams. His brother joined in
the drama and was arrested by the police. Because he resisted arrest, he got a fair amount of “rough
handling”, again on live telecast much to the anger of the suspect and after this, the situation became out
of control.
In future situations like this, should media exercise prudence and choose not to broadcast live events
like the arrest and rough handling of the suspect’s brother? Should they not broadcast live the positions
taken by the police and assault teams?
At the end of the day, the police would still be responsible for the outcome of crisis situations and perhaps
on their end, they should have put control on how much the media and the suspect can see. Or at least
display activity to divert the suspect and media from the real action that is about to happen.
Unfortunately for the PNP and the Philippines in general, videos and photos have already circulated
around the Internet depicting the poor execution of tactics and the numerous bloopers by the SWAT
teams. And even after the sad conclusion of the hostage drama, police officers were seen posing for
souvenir photos, adding insult to the injury.
With today’s technology, photos and videos can easily be published online anonymously and can spread
throughout the Internet in a matter of hours. Posing for souvenir photos of a crime scene should be an
administrative offense for law enforcement personnel. Better yet, the authorities should update standard
operating procedures and training that would suit the possible conditions and circumstances that could
arise during these times, due to the rapid advent of technology and the rising participation of the people in
government affairs.