Please give us a chance. This is our letter to the whole world.

DP members,

I don’t know if this is appropriate but please consider me that I have decided to share this letter here in DP.

As you are reading this letter, I bet that you have seen/heard about what happened earlier in our country, the Philippines.

Tourists were hostages of a policeman here, Rolando Mendoza. After a few hours of the horrible crime, some of the victims were dead including the hostage-taker.

I wrote this letter not just to apologize but also to let everyone know that we Filipinos are not all like Mendoza. We are loving and good-hearted people.

For so many years, our country has been standing tall and surpassing every dilemma; be it small or big. Years ago (back when I wasn’t born yet), you have watched us fight for what we think is right. We fought for the democracy of our nation.. The EDSA revolution. But that’s just one out of many.

Second. We Filipinos have been serving other countries for our families and we treat you as our own as well. With all due respect, I thank you all for giving us the trust through the years. For helping us to become what we are now.

The Philippines is more than just a group of islands. We are a nation of strong and remarkable people. A country of beauty and love known to be hospitable and well-valued. I humbly apologize for what happened tonight. No one in this world would want something like that to happen for life should be valued.

I politely ask the attention of the world. Please do not judge and mistreat us just because of what happened tonight. I have been searching the net and found terrible things. Hong Kong advices to avoid travels here, China and HK bans Filipinos and that Philippines is the worst place to go.

I can’t blame you for what you have decided but I hope that you could understand. Our country is now in a sea of problems. And I know for sure that we helped you in a way or another. Let peace and understanding reign this time.

I know that this letter will just be trash but I wish that you would understand. On behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

As a song puts it…

“And I believe that in my life I will see an end to hopelessness, giving-up and suffering. And we all stand together this one time then no one will get left behind. Stand up for life. STAND UP FOR LOVE”

Sincerely yours,

Magiclouie

Taken from CNN.

 

Didn't hear about this, now I have. - link

Crime happens everywhere.

 

Once more, on behalf of the Philippine population.. WE ARE SORRY.

 

No need to apologize. You can't blame yourself or the country because someone was crazy.

 

It's sad, but not your fault.

In the Philippines...

In the US...

 

Hi luke12, thanks for these words. I am with you with what you have said.

 

Hi Rebecca,

Thanks for understanding us, I can’t blame the others but I hope they could realize that they should not blame the entire nation because of this tragic happening.

We want to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the victims.

Sincerely,
Magiclouie

 

Hi Magiclouie and thank you everyone for understanding US Filipinos. I have read this letter
in another blog this morning and I was really moved on what this 15 year old guy said on his letter.
I know that HK and other countries feel dismay and is bursting in anger due to the outcome of the hostage
drama in the Philippines last Monday (August 23, 2010). No one wanted this to happen, even our President I
respect him though I just have a few thoughts in my mind.. there are errors yes, but I believe that lack
of knowledge and experience are the main causes of this tragedy.

We Filipinos are also in grief as what the other HK nationals feels. And in behalf of our country, we are sincerely apologizing for what had happened. And I just like to ask our fellow country men to stop blaming and insulting each other, that won't do anything good. It will just add fuel to the fire. Respect and understanding that is what each other needed.

- Cassandra

 

To all Filipinos, let us join hands and pray together!

Every person can make a mistake, so let’s hope that this crisis will be over soon and optimistically we can get back the trust of the other countries.

 

What a lovely post Good on you.

I don't have a bad opinion of the Philippines, however if I had your letter would probably have changed my mind.

 

I do respect your opinion alexispetrov.

 

Hey! We're still selling cigarettes at a very low price Well I know your kind and understanding Alexis. Shit happens everywhere, we'll just have to deal with it.

As for the letter, I have also read it and I must say that I am impressed and proud with how Reigno Jose Dilao expressed his sympathy and apologies to the world. It is just sad that we now have been the target of hate messages and racist comments and to be honest, I don't blame the Chinese if they feel that way. Questionable as it was, the mishandling of our Police force and the so-called SWATs was completely wrong (not to mention how the negotiators and the government itself played their part on the drama).

Nobody wanted that, no one asked for that to happen. It just happened.

Not only that we Filipinos are now targets of hate and racism, our Travel industry has now sunk to the lowest level we have ever experienced. Something that we are really going to earn back, the trust and reputation in which I think, would take years and years to regain IMO.

Now for the part where I really felt disgusted (I apologise for using such word but I feel that it is the best word to describe what I really feel - I also don't want to sugar coat my fellow countrymen because regardless of the race - I know for sure that what some of our fellow countrymen did was completely wrong! Stupidity I daresay.) It is something that I think we Filipinos should really wake up from. Why did some of our police officers and college students made that tragic place a tourist spot? Taking pictures left and right as if the place was a famous travel destination! For fcuk's sake, talk about insult to injury! and here we are, trying to regain our pride back. Way to go! You guys have just ruined everything that we are trying to redeem.

 

crimes happen everywhere and I really feel you should not be apologizing for some lunatic's acts, I hate to see people getting too defensive because of some one from their region/nation/religion/ r wat ever

when you are not personally involved neither your government then you need not apologize to any one, if you had apologized to the victims families it could be understandable but not to the entire world and we not going to hurry into conclusion because of 1 or 2 of such acts

I really appreciate your lovely letter though, I think it would be better if it could be read by the victims families r friends.

I never hated a nation neither I do now, nor planning to in future - one can't hate a nation because of few lunatics actions

peace!!!

 

Thank you both, I'm glad of the sentiments

Indeed, I think the Philippines are a fine place and many Australians think quite highly of the place - a few bad eggs wont tarnish our view of you.

The cheap cigs are just a bonus, lol.

Alexis

 

Okay masterrio, you are entitled to your own opinion.

Yes, you are right that I am not personally involved with that incident but then the entire Philippines is affected.

Anyway, I think you have made some great points and I have understood them.

I admire your open-mindedness as well.

 

The people of the phillipines are great. There are many of them working also here in Israel.

 

i think your being hard on yourself

 

Thanks ChaosTrivia.

 

Thanks ChaosTrivia, well we are also known for our OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers), it is just too bad that there's one case wherein a HK employer fired a Filipina helper in Hong Kong just because of the incident (Tourist Bus Hijacking). We also now fear the well being of our relatives not only in HK but in other South East Asian countries as well.

 

the thing is not to be blame for the whole nation...I wish all the best fro your country..I've search the news, maybe things right now are so shocking that most things are in wrong places..maybe those countries are just carried away because of their concern for their fellows.. time would make things to be in order again...you don't have to apologize, unfortunately many things are affected just because of one MAN...