IIRC not yet done with job, says Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday tried to dissuade the Hong Kong government from thinking that the results of investigation on the Aug. 23 bungled hostage crisis, where eight Hong Kong tourists were killed, would immediately result in the imposition of sanctions to concerned officials since the process is still ongoing to make sure the mistakes would not be repeated.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte made the clarification after Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang relayed his disappointment to President Aquino when the two leaders met at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Yokohama, Japan.

The work of the incident investigation and review committee (IIRC) still continues, she said, referring to Phase 2 of the investigation.

“They (IIRC members) are working on the second part and they would come out with a recommendation on the operational procedures,” Valte added.

Tsang took the opportunity to talk with Mr. Aquino on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Japan where he relayed the Hong Kong government’s position over the outcome of the investigation into the hostage incident.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ricky Carandang said Mr. Aquino and Tsang discussed the issue at the start of the APEC summit.

Carandang said Mr. Aquino and Tsang “had a productive discussion on the lingering issues pertaining to the hostage crisis.”

“And it was a big step in finally resolving these major issues and we believe that this will be a closed chapter soon. The President said the meeting was productive and the talks were quite friendly,” Carandang said.

Carandang could not provide other details but stressed the two leaders wanted to put the issue behind them.

The President had ordered the filing of administrative charges against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, relieved Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, relieved National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leocadio Santiago, chief negotiator Superintendent Orlando Yebra Jr., Chief Inspector Santiago Pascual, head of the Manila Police District Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, and Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III.

Aquino ordered the filing of criminal charges against the hostage taker’s brother Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Mendoza for allegedly aiding the suspect.

Malacañang’s legal team headed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. referred to the House of Representatives “for appropriate action” the case of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. The hostage taker was reportedly enraged by Gutierrez’s not being clear about acting on his demand for reinstatement in the police force.

The President exonerated Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno, retired Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

The Manila police chief earlier went on leave while five other police officers were relieved because of their hesitation and lapses during the assault on the tourist bus where dismissed policeman Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza held the Hong Kong tourists hostage.

Mendoza who was dismissed from the police force last year for extortion, commandeered last Aug. 23 a Hong Thai Travel tourist bus in Intramuros and held hostage 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipino guides for several hours in front of the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park in Manila.

The suspect, armed with an M16 rifle and a pistol, had released several hostages before the SWAT team assaulted the bus resulting in the death of the hostage taker and eight tourists.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Moreno had accused anew Justice Secretary Leila de Lima as one of those who leaked the IIRC report.

In a chance interview at the Heroes Hall last Oct. 12, the former actor told reporters there was no other government official who was privy and had access to such a copy, especially because she wanted Mr. Aquino to adopt all her recommendations. 

“I think some people are pressuring the President,” Moreno said.

Moreno said he could not understand why he was included by De Lima in the list of those who should be charged when he did all he could, and went all the way to the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City to appease and accommodate the hostage taker.