On August 23, 2010, Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus parked near Manila’s Rizal Park. On it were estimated 20-25 passengers, mostly from Hong Kong along with three Filipinos.
Mendoza, 55, was honoured by police chiefs in 1986 as one of the top 10 officers in the country. But he was
discharged in 2008 for his alleged involvement in drug-related crimes and extortion, according to police.
In February 2009, Rolando Mendoza was one of five Manila police officers ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman. Mendoza was a decorated police officer who faced accusations of chef Christian Kalaw. Kalaw had claimed Mendoza and the other officers had forced him to swallow metamphetaine hydrochloride (shabu). Mendoza has faced loss of his complete retirement benefits and banishment from being able to hold any governmental job.
Now Manila Vice-Mayor Francisco Domagoso, aka Isko Moreno, is quickly meeting with Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez to determine if Mendoza was right in his dispute over the matter. Guttierez is said to have a letter by Mendoza disputing his accusations.