‘Dirty Harry’ defends Manila cops abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim believes that police did their best in trying to rescue Hong Kong tourists taken hostage by Rodolfo Mendoza at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday.

At a ceremony Saturday marking the 24th anniversary of police operations to retake former PTV-4 broadcast station from the hands of rebel soldiers in 1986, Lim said the Manila Police District (MPD) should not be discouraged by criticisms hurled at them.

“Keep your head high. Merong pagkakamali, pero nakalimutan ng tao na dalawamput-lima ang naroon sa bus (There were mistakes, but people forget that there were 25 people inside the bus),” he said. “Sa kasamaang-palad, nasawi ang walo pero maraming nailigtas. (It was unfortunate that eight died but many were saved.)”

Lim, a former chief of the Western Police District, praised police officers who took part in the supposed hostage rescue operation.

“Pinatutunayan ng MPD, sa lahat ng oras, nakanda sila tuparin ang tungkulin, kung kinakailangan magbuwis ng buhay (The MPD officers proved that they can fulfill their duty even if they have to sacrifice their lives), ” he said, even while lashing out at critics.

“Nakalulungkot na may bumabatikos (It is just sad that there are critics),” Lim said. “Ang problema dito, maraming 'expert' na wala doon. Hindi nila naiintindihan ang sitwasyon doon. (The problem is many so-called experts were not at the scene. They do not understand the situation there.)”

In an interview with Hong Kong media after the ceremony, the Manila mayor vowed that there will be no whitewash in the investigation into the incident.

Asked if the MPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics personnel should undergo more training, Lim insisted that Manila police are up to the task of keeping peace and order in the city.

“They have adequate training,” he said. “Manila is a safe city.” – With a report from Israel Malasa, ABS-CBN News