Philippine leader vows to restore people's trust in police

Sep 14, 2010, 8:27 GMT

Manila - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday vowed to restore people's trust in the police after a botched hostage rescue left eight Hong Kong tourists dead last month.

Aquino urged the newly installed police chief, Director General Raul Bacalzo, to intensify reforms and instill discipline in the police force

'We will wipe out the fear and doubt of the people in your institution,' Aquino said in turnover ceremonies at police headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City in the Manila metropolitan area.

Bacalzo replaced Jesus Verzosa, who retired early, less than a month after the August 23 hostage tragedy at a seaside park in Manila.

The crisis began when dismissed police officer Rolando del Rosario Mendoza seized a tourist bus filled with 25 people, mostly Hong Kong tourists, in a bid to get his job back.

While nine hostages were freed through negotiations, the standoff ended in violence when Mendoza opened fire inside the bus, prompting police to launch an assault.

Eight Hong Kong tourists and Mendoza were killed in the botched rescue.

The incident triggered outrage in the former British colony, where many have denounced the way the Philippine police handled the situation and demanded an apology and compensation for the victims' families.

Aquino admitted the carnage was a major setback to his 2-month-old government, but he promised to forge ahead and lead the country in the fight against corruption and poverty.

'We will remove the scar of doubt of the people, not only in our police forces but also in the government,' he said

Aquino added he would ensure that the funds allocated for training and for purchasing equipment for the police would not end up in the pocket of unscrupulous government officials.