Deputy Ombudsman won't face hostage fiasco probers

MANILA, Philippines - Deputy Ombudsman for military and other law enforcement offices Emilio Gonzales III has refused to appear before the incident investigation and review committee (IIRC) to shed light on allegations that he had tried to extort P150,000 from hostage taker Rolando Mendoza.

In a letter to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, IIRC chairman, Gonzales said he would not attend the hearing on grounds that the Office of the Ombudsman is an independent body.

The letter was also signed by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

De Lima said IIRC will again invite Gutierrez and Gonzales.

“We may not be able to compel them because we do not have coercive powers, but we feel it is our moral duty to remind them of their own moral duty to cooperate,” she said.

Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador, deputy negotiator in the hostage crisis, told the IIRC that he overheard Mendoza talking to Gonzales over the phone.

“P… mo… humihingi ka pa ng P150,000 para sa kaso ko (How dare you ask P150,000 from me), he quoted Mendoza as saying.

“Kapag may namatay dito, ikaw ang sisisihin dito (If somebody dies here, it would be your fault).”

Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said that when he was at the Office of the Ombudsman to check on Mendoza’s case, he heard Gonzales talking with Mendoza on the phone.

Gonzales has denied the allegations.