The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan called on Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno to resign after he revealed before a government investigating panel that he treated the August 23 hostage crisis as a “local crisis” because it happened in Manila.

“Puno should resign. It was obvious that the Luneta hostage crisis was anything but a local crisis. The fact that it involved foreign nationals and was already being broadcast worldwide, it should have from the onset been considered as a major national concern with serious international implications. Puno’s admission should be enough reason for him to quit his post,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

The move of some pro-Arroyo Congressmen to ask Committee Chair Neil Tupas, Jr. to inhibit himself from the hearings is a desperate attempt to delay and undermine the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Even when they are with the Minority and are no longer the dominant force in the House of Representatives, the pro-Arroyo congressmen think they can still get away with their cheap maneuvers.

President Benigno Aquino II’s first foreign trip, an official visit to the United States, will serve as another major test of the new government’s foreign policy according to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

“The US trip is doubly important since it is the first foreign trip of the president and it will involve a country that has a tumultuous relationship with the Philippines. People are eyeing the trip as a test of the resolve of the new government to uphold national interest over foreign impositions,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

Exactly two months into his term as chief executive, President Benigno Aquino III is again at the receiving end of criticism for his failure to bring justice for human rights victims. The criticism came as various groups marked International Day of the Disappeared with a march to Mendiola Bridge.

“Today we march for Jonas Burgos, Karen Empeno, Sherlyn Cadapan, Luisa Dominado, Nilo Arado and all the victims of enforced disappearances. Their families continue to cry for justice. It has been two months since Aquino took office and there are still no encouraging signs that justice will be achieved for the victims of human right abuses,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.

The suspension of 4 members of the Manila Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the leave of absence filed by the chief of the Manila Police District may not be enough to appease public outrage over the bloody hostage crisis at the Quirino Grandstand.

“What the Filipino people and the world are asking is who among the officials of the national government was on top of the situation from the start. The fact that it involved foreign nationals and that it had become an international incident, it would not be enough to leave the matter to the discretion of a police district director or city officials,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.