President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is seeking further refinements in the parameters of media coverage during crisis situations following the dramatic hostage crisis that ended in a bloody carnage last Monday.

President Noynoy Aquino said he plans to meet with media organizations to forward his agenda after he lamented that full media coverage of the hostage crisis apparently gave the hostage-taker a “bird's eye view” of the situation while hampered government actions to resolve the problem.

In a press conference early Tuesday morning at the Palace, President Noynoy Aquino explained that the government did not impose any news blackout during the 12-hour standoff since it violates the freedom of the press. But he later recognized the need for “a redefinition of the limitations” set for the media to allow the government to do its job during a crisis situation.

“If we ordered the news blackout, you’d tell us that we were guilty of censoring you which is frowned upon by the Constitution. We cannot censor you for things you have yet to do. We did vow transparency. But that actually points out to the possibility of further refining the rules after the Peninsula incident,”  President Aquino said.

“We will be talking to you. We’ll come up with terms and conditions that will help each of us achieve our objectives,” added the President, who has expressed condolences to the families of the eight tourists killed in the hostage crisis that unfolded live on television.

In 2007, dozens of journalists who covered the siege of the Manila Peninsula hotel by rebel soldiers were arrested for supposed obstruction of justice. Journalists reportedly ignored calls by law enforcers to leave the hotel premises and allow the police to handle the situation. To prevent a repeat of the incident, rules of engagement were eventually forged that defines media’s freedom and the duty of the police to protect the public during emergency situations.

With the uninterrupted coverage of media organizations of the hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand last Monday, the President said former senior police inspector Rolando Mendoza was given “blow-by-blow” developments affecting his area, including the strategic deployment of the security forces.

Mendoza, who demanded his job back, was killed during a gunfight with police commandos that stormed the bus filled with Hong Kong tourists. He reportedly used his captives as human shields.

“To a certain degree, he might have a bird’s eye view of the entire situation which does not help the security forces in carrying out the mission,” the President said. Mendoza was monitoring the events in the television and radio "the whole time" with the "nonstop coverage of all media outlets," he added.

He noted that the hostage-taker was distressed and “something pushed him to the edge.” “Who were the people he was talking to? What were the limitations imposed on media? None,” he said.

“Everyone wants to get latest tidbit and each time he got a new piece of information that obviously factored into his equations and it didn’t help our security forces any. But at the same time you have the balance the need for people to know. But there has be limits as to what should be divulged to somebody who has already taken the life of others in jeopardy,” he added.

The President earlier defended the actions of government forces, saying the police initially thought the hostage-taker would surrender as shown by the release of some hostages but the situation later deteriorated.

But he admitted he was not satisified how the hostage crisis ended especially with the death of eight hostages. He immediately called for a thorough investigation into the case while promising to pour funds to enhance the capability of the police in dealing with similar emergencies.

Mr. Aquino also disclosed that he has apologized to the government of Hong Kong for the death of its tourists and promised to extend necessary assistance to the survivors. (Genalyn Kabiling) #

See also:

• Palace meets with PNP on hostage drama
• Chinese Embassy to RP: ensure safety of hostage survivors
• Gunman killed; gov't gains control of bus
• Gov't debriefing hostages
• Manila hostage-taking over
• Philippine hostage crisis ends with several hostages alive
• Hostages at Rizal Park
• Hostage-taker a decorated cop with 17 medals
• Mendoza an 'honest' policeman
• Hostage-taker dismissed due to alleged extortion
• Hostage-taker just wants to be reinstated
• 8 passengers released from tourist bus hijacked in Manila
• 7 released in bus hostage taking
• Ex-policeman in Philippines holds tourists hostage