‘We’re not all like Mendoza’ By Janie Octia – August 24th, 2010

In an attempt to inform the world of the good things about Philippines following Monday’s hostage crisis, 15-year-old Reigno Jose Dilao writes a letter to the world.

Dilao, a 4th year student of Samar National High School, posted the letter at CNN’s iReport site Monday at around 10:00 P.M. after the hostage crisis ended leaving at least 10 people dead, including the gunman.

In a phone interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia, Dilao says he was disappointed with yesterday’s turn of events.

“Sana pinag-isipan ni Mendoza yung mga ginawa nya [Mendoza should have thought twice about his actions],” Dilao said.

He believes that this incident will take its toll on the country’s tourism.

“Ang hindi magandang epekto, sa turismo natin. Ang mga turista, iniisip nila lahat, lalo na ang safety [This will have a bad effect on our tourism. Tourists think about safety],” says Dilao.

Dilao also criticized the authorities who handled the crisis.

“Parang hindi pinag-isipan ng mga police officers yung strategy [It looked like the police officers didn't think about their strategy],” Dilao said.

Dilao, a campus journalist for three years, dreams of being a journalist.

While some criticized members of the media for yesterday’s reportage, Dilao said media is just doing its job.

In his letter, Dilao defends the Filipino people and describes them as “loving and good-hearted people.”

Dilao says the Philippines is a nation of strong, remarkable and hospitable people.

As of this writing, his letter has been viewed 269 times and shared 24 times.

Dilao also expressed his apologies in the letter but also asked the world not to judge the country for this incident.

“Sana malaman ng mundo kung ano ang Pilipino, hindi lahat ng tao katulad ni Mendoza [I hope the world will know who the Filipinos are and that we're not all like Mendoza],” ends Dilao.

Here’s a copy of the letter posted on CNN iReport with Reigno Jose Dilao’s permission

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

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,

Reigno Jose Dilao