Forwarded email: hostage statement

Hostage Taking - August 23
by Mai Lateo
on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at
2:28pm
?Mr. Mendoza was already upset
even before he saw on television
what
the policemen did to his brother.
The other tourists who remained
inside the bus were complaining.
Wei Ji Jiang wanted to go to the
bathroom. Dao Chi Yu was hungry
and the rest were just groaning and
whining like they have forgotten that
our lives rest in Mr. Mendoza's
hands. The hostage taker, as you
know him was really nice. He
treated
us okay and even let the elders and
the children leave the bus. He
said your policemen treated him
unfairly. He was a policeman too
and
was accused of doing something he
had no knowledge of. But your
government didn't listen so he used
us to get everyone's attention.
Things would have never turned for
the worst if he didn't see how his
family was dragged out of their
house and taken into custody. He
was
watching the news all the time as
we huddled around each other
behind
the bus. He shouted some words in
your language then started shooting
in the air. A girl about my age
started screaming. Mr. Mendoza
demanded her to stop but she didn't
understand English. God, he had to
slash her neck with a knife just to
put her to rest. Her boyfriend who
tried to hit him was shot in the
head. Tension was rising. You can
see
in his face how scared and confused
he was. The bus driver ran away
leaving him alone with strangers
from a distant land. I can see him
walking across the aisle, sometimes
pointing his machine gun to one of
the tourists. But he tried his best not
to hurt us, especially those
who really cooperate. I guess its in
your nature not to inflict pain
on others unless it was necessary. I
remember him saying that he will
free us before sundown and
implored us to forget everything
when we
return home. But his words don't
matter now. The policemen were
trying
to force their way in, while we all
lied down to shield ourselves from
bullets. Mister Mendoza blindly
shoots at his enemies which I think
kept them from rescuing us. I hear
sobs under the chairs. Some were
even shouting the names of their
loved ones even when the air
merely
eat their words. Kevin Tang tried to
escape when the glass door was
was shattered, but one shot and he
slumped on the floor with blood
gushing from his mouth. Heavy
rain pitter-pattered on the rooftop.
In
old Chinese saying, it means an end
to a struggle. Finally, somebody
was able to open the escape hatch
at the back of the bus. Freedom. But
I knew Mister Mendoza was still
alive. I knew he was just waiting for
a chance to strike back at his
enemies. So I told those around me
not
to escape. Let the authorities come
for us instead. Then there was
gunfire. He was firing at his enemies
with a machine gun. Those who
were at the escape hatch fled
abandoning us once again. It's like a
nightmare with no end and to wake
up means a certain death. Then
somebody from outside the bus
threw a canister. It forced out a
black
smoke that is so painful to the eyes
and putrid smelling to the nose.
People started screaming. We
cannot breathe. Some ran in front of
the
bus but Mister Mendoza warned
them of stray bullets. It was too late.
One was hit on the head, the other
was hit on the shoulders. Bullets
were now flying. Its like the
authorities thought we were all
dead.
Mister Mendoza finally admits his
mistake and said sorry to everyone,
dead or alive. He then ran towards
the front of the bus where he would
meet his maker. As he passed by
my chair with bullets whistling
overhead, I clutched my hand on
the velvet curtain and wrapped it
around my face. All I could think of
was to stay alive - for my child
who is waiting for me back in
Xinjang.I know I will survive, I will
come home.
Bang Lu Min Survivor, Quirino
Bloodbath