INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – The former Manila Police District (MPD) director has been officially dismissed from service after Malacañang and the National Police (Napolcom) found him responsible for the botched police operation in the Manila hostage crisis at Quirino Grandstand in 2010.
Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay was dismissed for “gross incompetence in performing his duties as the Ground or On-scene Commander” during the hostage drama.
On Aug. 23, 2010, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza held hostage a bus with several Hong Kong tourists onboard and after a failed negotiation a shootout ensued between him and the police, leaving him and eight other people dead.
The Napolcom said in a statement that that the decision was agreed by President Benigno Aquino III through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa.
Magtibay’s dismissal was upon the approval of Malacañang as he was a presidential appointee.
“The Napolcom originally meted the medium penalty of one (1) rank demotion on Magtibay after he was found guilty of gross incompetence for his failure to give specific and clear instructions which created an atmosphere of suum cuique (to each his own) which resulted in confusion and lack of coordinative action,” Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta said.
Mendoza’s brother, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, will also be dismissed from service for serious neglect of duty and grave misconduct.
“Mendoza failed to perform his duty as part of the negotiating panel because instead of finding solution to the crisis he actually added to the problem when he demanded for the return of his service firearm as a condition for the release of the hostages. Mendoza was also penalized for carrying his firearm while in civilian attire. PNP members are prohibited to display their service firearm, tuck it at their waist or insert it in their waistband or holster while in civilian attire. PNP issuances also provide that carrying of service firearms in civilian attire requires the presentation of Mission/Letter Order,” Escueta said.
Two ranking police officials, Superintendent Orlando Yebra and Chief Inspector Santiago David Pascual, meanwhile, will be demoted by a rank lower as they were also found guilty of gross incompetence.
“The Commission ruled that Yebra fell short of his duty as the Chief Negotiator for his failure to alert his superiors to be on guard when it became manifest that the hostage taker had grown agitated and angry. Yebra also found to have failed to live up to the cardinal rule in hostage negotiation and crisis management not to agitate the hostage taker because he literally calls the shot. Yebra lost his focus and composure in front of the hostage taker when he pulled SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, brother of the hostage taker, an act which further infuriated the hostage taker and inflamed the situation,” Escueta said.
“Pascual, the Over-all Assault Team Leader of the MPD SWAT, was found liable for the disorganized manner of rescue operations and for his failure to inform the ground commander that the MPD SWAT was not skilled in dealing with the case of this nature in terms of equipment. Pascual failed to make proper coordination and due diligence that could have mitigated the extent of the tragedy,” he added.
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