Filipinos use Facebook to vent hostage anger at Aquino

MANILA — Philippine President Benigno Aquino's Facebook account was on Tuesday flooded with insults and criticism over the botched hostage rescue in Manila than left eight Hong Kong tourists dead."You did not fail us, you are consistently clueless," wrote one critic called Vincent Cruz, a common Filipino name, on Aquino's Facebook wall.More than 250 comments about Monday's hostage drama were posted on Aquino's wall, most of which were critical about the handling of the crisis.Sacked policeman Rolando Mendoza hijacked a busload of Hong Kong tourists in a crazed bid to get his job back. Eight of the passengers were killed when commandos attempted to storm the bus more than 10 hours into the ordeal.Some netizens focused on the impact the crisis, which was televised around the world, would have on the Philippines' reputation internationally."(T)ransmitted live via satellite show all over the world: The police so dumb and lack of skill, equipment and training etc," wrote Albert Au.Gerald Nicomedes expressed frustration at Mendoza, Aquino and the police who admitted to making mistakes in ending the ordeal."MENDOZA IS CRAZY... WAVING AT THE CAMERAS. HE AND NOYNOY (Aquino's nickname) ARE BOTH RETARDS... EVEN THE POLICE ARE USELESS..."Aquino, a 50-year-old who came to power less than three months ago, has used Internet social networking tools such as Facebook to drum up popular support to his campaign to fight corruption.A total of 1.94 million users of the popular global networking site have clicked on the button signifying they "like" Aquino's site.More than 16 million Filipinos use Facebook, making it the seventh-largest country user. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More »

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