Manila

[url]http://www.google.com.au/search?q=Philippines+Hijacked+Bus+Hostage+Crisis&hl=en&rlz=1B3GGIC_enAU285US286&tbs=nws:1&prmd=n&source=lnms&ei=BWhyTN4Wj6Vxk7j0lg0&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&ved=0CBYQ_AU#[/url]

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]It's almost 8 PM on Monday evening in Davao, and I'm sitting in my living room watching the Philippines Hijacked Bus Hostage Crisis on live TV on CNN. Apparently a former police officer--accused of robbery and extortion and fired from his job--hijacked a bus full of Hong Kong tourists and has held it for the last 8 hours or so, and took this action to demand reinstatement.

Of course, this being the Philippines, the guy was never put in prison, never actually tried, and apparently permitted to retain his M16 with which he entered the bus dressed as a cop. Now, apparently he's killed some people and so the "SWAT" team has stormed the bus. They've been storming it so far for about 15 minutes and haven't managed to get inside, thereby giving the guy inside ample opportunity to do whatever he wants. This would be funny if it weren't so tragic. Clearly, these guys have no idea what to do, don't have proper equipment, and cannot even manage to break the windows of the bus. If this were the US, or Europe or Japan, it would have taken an elite group of cops about 10 seconds to board the bus, kill the hostage taker and attend to the hostages. This is pathetic.

As I watch this, I cannot help but reflect that the total ineptitude of the cops, the lack of equipment, the lack of a plan, the ability of a disgraced police officer to blithely board a bus with a loaded M 16, is nothing more or less than a metaphor for this sad, failed country.

Of course, the fact that this is playing out live, in living color, in front of the entire world will do nothing but erode even further, the reputation and status of the country, which just cannot seem to get anything right, ever.

It's sad; it's pathetic and it's disheartening.

GE[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]It's almost 8 PM on Monday evening in Davao, and I'm sitting in my living room watching the Philippines Hijacked Bus Hostage Crisis on live TV on CNN. Apparently a former police officer--accused of robbery and extortion and fired from his job--hijacked a bus full of Hong Kong tourists and has held it for the last 8 hours or so, and took this action to demand reinstatement.

Of course, this being the Philippines, the guy was never put in prison, never actually tried, and apparently permitted to retain his M16 with which he entered the bus dressed as a cop. Now, apparently he's killed some people and so the "SWAT" team has stormed the bus. They've been storming it so far for about 60 minutes and haven't managed to get inside, thereby giving the guy inside ample opportunity to do whatever he wants. This would be funny if it weren't so tragic. Clearly, these guys have no idea what to do, don't have proper equipment, and cannot even manage to break the windows of the bus. If this were the US, or Europe or Japan, it would have taken an elite group of cops about 10 seconds to board the bus, kill the hostage taker and attend to the hostages. This is pathetic.

As I watch this, I cannot help but reflect that the total ineptitude of the cops, the lack of equipment, the lack of a plan, the ability of a disgraced police officer to blithely board a bus with a loaded M 16, is nothing more or less than a metaphor for this sad, failed country.

Of course, the fact that this is playing out live, in living color, in front of the entire world will do nothing but erode even further, the reputation and status of the country, which just cannot seem to get anything right, ever.

It's sad; it's pathetic and it's disheartening.

GE[/QUOTE]
It is now 8:50 and it is over. They finally killed him....waiting to see how many he killed. I just left my buddies in canteen and we were watching wondering where the PNP got trained.

GE is 100% right, if it wasn't so tragic, it would be so funny!

Robb

Cheapie,

I was there friday nighn too bad we didnl get acquanted.

There is actually a hotel up the stairs behind the bar. Ask for #5 or another bigger roomn as the small ones are very cramped.
Used to take LA Cafe ladies there when I was in a hurry.

[QUOTE=Captain America]Cheapie,

I was there friday nighn too bad we didnl get acquanted.

There is actually a hotel up the stairs behind the bar. Ask for #5 or another bigger roomn as the small ones are very cramped.
Used to take LA Cafe ladies there when I was in a hurry.[/QUOTE]
When you use ST rooms upstairs in Amazonia make sure you undress and keep your valuables with you when you go to take a shower. The common scam with the girls is they go to shower first, there is not enough room to shower together. When they are done they ask you to take a shower. If you get undressed and leave your money in the pockets by the time you come back both the money and the girl will be gone. There is no security blocking their exit. One time the girl tried to undress me Before I took the shower and told me she will watch out for my clothes. I told her I would rather undress in the bathroom even though it was tiny.
Never be drunk .

This video footage only shows how badly they seemed to have handled it.

[url]http://video.yahoo.com/watch/8130772/21546273[/url]

[QUOTE=Robbaf]It is now 8:50 and it is over. They finally killed him....waiting to see how many he killed. I just left my buddies in canteen and we were watching wondering where the PNP got trained.

GE is 100% right, if it wasn't so tragic, it would be so funny!

Robb[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=GoodEnough]It's sad; it's pathetic and it's disheartening.

GE[/QUOTE]Yes I watched it, it was bloody disgraceful & tragic. Third world cops, what do you expect GE? Every thing I have seen & heard of the military & Police indicates to me shocking lack of training. Do you guys ever watch that SOGO bullshit on TV? Bunch of clowns with guns pushing & shoving each other through apartment doorways trying to be the first to let off a clip full of rounds at... anything!

The regular firefights between NPA/MILF et al & AFP frequently result in many military deaths versus few rebel deaths. Sometimes whole platoons get wiped out. Why? No fire discipline, no plan, no training. Rebels ambush them, the AFP spray the friggin jungle until their clips are dry then the rebels walk in & double tap them with pistols.

Elite units? That means they have nicer uniforms & functional weapons..

I have no doubt that there are some hard men & some good men amongst them but most are just there to draw a salary for the 23 cousins.

AV

[QUOTE=Sammon]When you use ST rooms upstairs in Amazonia make sure you undress and keep your valuables with you when you go to take a shower. The common scam with the girls is they go to shower first, there is not enough room to shower together. When they are done they ask you to take a shower. If you get undressed and leave your money in the pockets by the time you come back both the money and the girl will be gone. There is no security blocking their exit. One time the girl tried to undress me Before I took the shower and told me she will watch out for my clothes. I told her I would rather undress in the bathroom even though it was tiny.

Never be drunk.[/QUOTE]Amazonia has always kept my girl's ID's and called if she left before I did.

[QUOTE=Amavida]Yes I watched it, it was bloody disgraceful & tragic. Third world cops, what do you expect GE? Every thing I have seen & heard of the military & Police indicates to me shocking lack of training. Do you guys ever watch that SOGO bullshit on TV? Bunch of clowns with guns pushing & shoving each other through apartment doorways trying to be the first to let off a clip full of rounds at... anything!

The regular firefights between NPA/MILF et al & AFP frequently result in many military deaths versus few rebel deaths. Sometimes whole platoons get wiped out. Why? No fire discipline, no plan, no training. Rebels ambush them, the AFP spray the friggin jungle until their clips are dry then the rebels walk in & double tap them with pistols.

Elite units? That means they have nicer uniforms & functional weapons..

I have no doubt that there are some hard men & some good men amongst them but most are just there to draw a salary for the 23 cousins.

AV[/QUOTE]You gents may remember some years back when a druggie took his own child hostage in a bus station in Manila. The police had him surrounded but still the kid was shot dead.

The fact that HK has stopped all its nationals flying to Phils will mean a lot of empty 3 star hotels for next few weeks.

Koreans will be watching and the Phil goverment will lbe very grateful it was HK national and not Koreans who were involved otherwise it would be the temporary death of Boracay.

The incompetence was mindless, the lack of leadership appaling and the antiquated tactics sad.

First rule in a hostage situation is starve the ocassion of media interest. Put up barriers or whatever so no one can C. To allow it to be played out in the Worlds tv screens indicates total incompetence. Its a sad day but also an idictment of the incompetence of the Police SWAT teams. Then again, their salaries alone indicate that these can never be the best or the brightest.

Maybe they won't be so proud to wear their SWAT vests indicating their status in future in Manila.

All of you who are going on about this must remember one thing: Yeah, it's sad and pathetic and highly incompetent and all that. It's also what makes the Philippines and many other countries a haven for the sex trade. All of this works together. You want to clean up the country and make the authorities take responsibility. Blah, blah, blah. I'm sure you would be talking out of both sides of your mouth if that affected the precious reason that we are all here in the first place (that is if you're not already).

Just think about it. I'm not interested in starting a debate and will not respond to same.

Bye

[QUOTE=Amavida]
The regular firefights between NPA/MILF et al & AFP frequently result in many military deaths versus few rebel deaths. Sometimes whole platoons get wiped out. Why? No fire discipline, no plan, no training. Rebels ambush them, the AFP spray the friggin jungle until their clips are dry then the rebels walk in & double tap them with pistols.
[/QUOTE]

Yup, you are surely right. In fact the Philippine Army Training Manual states that in the case of a firefight, the combatants are to form a circle (same as for firing squads) and shoot from the hip. If this doesn’t work they are to shout ‘giddeup’ and move in circular format letting off war whoops at frequent intervals.

Check if you don’t believe me.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]Yup, you are surely right. In fact the Philippine Army Training Manual states that in the case of a firefight, the combatants are to form a circle (same as for firing squads) and shoot from the hip. If this doesn’t work they are to shout ‘giddeup’ and move in circular format letting off war whoops at frequent intervals.

Check if you don’t believe me.[/QUOTE]I couldn't stomach it when I say the comedy of errors .. the cops quitely crept near the bus with their pickups, and used ropes to break the doors off - the same door that a cop tried to hammer his way into and ended up dropping the hammer and smartely and quitely, put his hand and retrieved it.

I think the hostage taker would have died for LAUGHING HIS WAY To DEATH .. Or maybe was shitting in his pants knowing Manila's finest were gonna spook him to death.

Even those who do Paint ball shooting know how to take cover and shoot.

Be careful when you monger in the Philippines. Just watch the news. It is a reminder why you can have young pussy

[QUOTE=Robbaf]It is now 8:50 and it is over. They finally killed him....waiting to see how many he killed. I just left my buddies in canteen and we were watching wondering where the PNP got trained.

GE is 100% right, if it wasn't so tragic, it would be so funny!

Robb[/QUOTE]
Yep was a great advert for PI tourism...BBC, Sky News, CNN and Al Jazeera covered the news, some live and used similar or the same words ....if it wasn't so tragic, it would be so funny!

'Keystone Kops' was another phrase used and an already ailing country is pushed further down the ladder....tourism will suffer but will it put off mongers?

One day someone who is elected will do something ..... but pigs will fly first and I will be able to buy a bacon sandwich in Starbucks in Saudi.

Sad, depressing, shameful and tragic...but this is PI

[QUOTE=Blunau]Amazonia has always kept my girl's ID's and called if she left before I did.[/QUOTE]

You have got to be joking.
You must be confused about the name of the place Blunau. There is one guy on the door outside and that's it - he is not even "security" as it is commonly known.
Up 2 sets of stairs you will find a young girl who collects the money and hands out keys. She asks you to sign a room card. I always write a capital X on it and a scribble in the signature space and I am good to go with one, 2 or 3 girls.

Manila police admitting they screwed it up...well had no choice given the worldwide media coverage of their hostage 'rescue' attempts ...even the Sky News man had to try and resist smiling when he was describing the pick axe attempt to break the window and pointed out the police shortcomings (eg no ladder!)

[url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11076735[/url]