Daily Lessons from Life 23 August 2010 - Channel NewsAsia - Eight Hong Kong tourists killed in Philippine bus hijacking - channelnewsasia.com

"Eight Hong Kong tourists killed in Philippine bus hijacking - 23 August 2010 CNA

MANILA: Philippine security forces stormed a bus packed with Hong Kong tourists on Monday to end a dramatic hostage crisis that unfolded live on global television, leaving eight people and the gunman dead.

The day-long ordeal began when a disgruntled ex-policeman armed with an M-16 assault rifle and dressed in combat pants hijacked the bus in Manila's tourist district in a desperate bid to get his job back.

Negotiations broke down after nightfall when the gunman, former senior police inspector Rolando Mendoza, began shooting and commandos were forced to storm the bus, firing dozens of bullets of their own into the vehicle."

This is an absolute disaster and a tragedy. A pleasure trip became a fatal trip for some of these innocent tourists! A lot of questions will be asked of the Philippines security forces and no answer will satisfy the family of the killed victims!!

Lessons for me are:

1. we never know when life will end! So, be grateful for every day we are alive and do something meaningful or simply just enjoy life;

2. there are certain countries where we have to really think hard if we want to visit. Risk assessment is a must. Though again, if fate so destined, it does not really matter where you visit!;

May there be closure for some of the people who died unexpectedly and untimely. May the security forces go to the bottom of this tragedy and find out what went so horribly wrong to prevent future recurrence. May the dead rest in peace. And may the family and friends of the deceased find the strengths to carry on with life and let go. It is fate. Let go and move on... My condolences.