Philippines police chief takes blame
Source: Agencies |
September 6, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
The Philippines' national police chief took the blame for the botched bus hijacking rescue attempt that killed eight Hong Kong tourists at a Manila park on August 23, announcing his decision to retire early from the service.
"As chief of the national police, I take responsibility and accountability of all Philippine National Police units and all police personnel in everything they do or failed to do," Jesus Verzosa said yesterday.
Verzosa, who assumed office nearly two years ago, said he had decided to retire from police service this month, three months before mandatory retirement on December 25, when he turns 56.
"It is now time to move forward and start anew. Rest assured that the national police will continue its sworn duty to serve and protect as well as render credible, effective and reliable service to the public," he said.
Verzosa's statement came a day after members of the police SWAT teams that assaulted the bus told an official inquiry they lacked equipment and training during the rescue attempt.
It took them more than an hour to complete the rescue because they had no equipment to break into the bus where a sacked police captain was holding 15 Hong Kong tourists for about 12 hours.
"We had difficulty in gaining entry into the bus," police officer Edwin Simacon told the inquiry. "We lacked equipment. If you will ask me, perhaps we could have done better if we had explosives to break the glass windows."
Another officer said they were not sure the vests they were wearing could stop bullets while complaining about a lack of training.
Over two days, the inter-agency inquiry panel led by the justice secretary uncovered operational lapses and poor judgment calls made by civilian crisis managers and police commanders.
On Friday, President Benigno Aquino shielded his interior minister from resignation calls, saying he had control over police forces and was taking responsibility for the deaths.
"As chief of the national police, I take responsibility and accountability of all Philippine National Police units and all police personnel in everything they do or failed to do," Jesus Verzosa said yesterday.
Verzosa, who assumed office nearly two years ago, said he had decided to retire from police service this month, three months before mandatory retirement on December 25, when he turns 56.
"It is now time to move forward and start anew. Rest assured that the national police will continue its sworn duty to serve and protect as well as render credible, effective and reliable service to the public," he said.
Verzosa's statement came a day after members of the police SWAT teams that assaulted the bus told an official inquiry they lacked equipment and training during the rescue attempt.
It took them more than an hour to complete the rescue because they had no equipment to break into the bus where a sacked police captain was holding 15 Hong Kong tourists for about 12 hours.
"We had difficulty in gaining entry into the bus," police officer Edwin Simacon told the inquiry. "We lacked equipment. If you will ask me, perhaps we could have done better if we had explosives to break the glass windows."
Another officer said they were not sure the vests they were wearing could stop bullets while complaining about a lack of training.
Over two days, the inter-agency inquiry panel led by the justice secretary uncovered operational lapses and poor judgment calls made by civilian crisis managers and police commanders.
On Friday, President Benigno Aquino shielded his interior minister from resignation calls, saying he had control over police forces and was taking responsibility for the deaths.
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