EDITORIAL - Institutional reforms

Remember the hostage crisis in Rizal Park on Aug. 23 last year? The tragedy remains fresh in the minds of the people of Hong Kong, where there is an ongoing investigation of the incident. Members of the special panel created by President Aquino after the crisis also remember. For whatever it’s worth, the Incident Investigation and Review Committee has come up with its second report on the hostage mess.

The first report of the IIRC, chaired by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, found 13 individuals and three broadcasting networks liable for the hostage fiasco that ended with the deaths of eight tourists from Hong Kong as well as hostage taker Rolando Mendoza. Many of the recommendations have been ignored by Malacañang, and most of those held accountable by the IIRC have not received even a slap on the wrist. The only case that is being aggressively pursued, it seems, is the one against the hostage taker’s brother and fellow Manila policeman, Gregorio Mendoza, who was not even among those held liable by the IIRC.

Last Friday the committee submitted the results of its other task, which is to propose institutional reforms and other measures to prevent a repeat of the hostage mess. Among the key recommendations in the 59-page report is the creation of a unified disciplinary authority for the PNP and the Internal Affairs Service, which will exclusively handle disciplinary cases against cops. The IIRC is also proposing the creation of a Uniform Crisis Management Manual, with the roles of local and national crisis management teams properly delineated.

The PNP, the IIRC proposed, must put together a pool of negotiators from which one can be designated to handle a hostage incident. During negotiations, anyone who crosses the police line, including journalists, must be arrested. The IIRC proposed the passage of legislation that will penalize the breach of an established police line, restricted zone or crime scene. Another recommendation is to review procurement rules to facilitate the acquisition of equipment needed by the PNP in carrying out its tasks.

The recommendations do not affect officials known to be close to President Aquino, so perhaps these won’t be ignored. The submission of this second report by the IIRC should remind the administration that the nation – and the people of Hong Kong – are still waiting for reforms and solid assurances that the hostage tragedy in Rizal Park will not be repeated.