Philippine leader orders disciplinary charges over hostage crisis

Oct 11, 2010, 11:08 GMT

Manila - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III on Monday ordered the filing of disciplinary charges against four police officials and a city mayor for the handling of a bus hostage crisis in August that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.

But Aquino rejected recommendations also to file charges against a close aide and members of the media for the August 23 hostage-taking incident in a Manila seaside park.

The crisis strained relations between Manila and Hong Kong, which criticised the way the government resolved the 11-hour stand-off.

'I pledged from the very start that there would be accountability,' Aquino said. 'In addition, we are taking steps to enhance our ability to respond to future crises.'

'We are redrafting the 10-year-old crisis manual to make it more responsive to not only hostage situations but other crises we may face in the future,' he added.

Aquino directed the National Police Commission to file administrative charges for gross incompetence and serious neglect of duty against former Manila City police chief Rodolfo Magtibay.

He also ordered the filing of neglect of duty charges against regional police chief Leocadio Santiago and chief police negotiator Orlando Yebra, and gross incompetence against tactical team leader Santiago Pascual III.

While a committee that reviewed the hostage crisis initially called for criminal charges against Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim, Aquino only ordered the filing of administrative charges for misconduct in office and simple neglect against the local executive.

The president rejected the committee's recommendation that administrative charges also be filed against his close friend, Undersecretary Rico Puno, and former national police chief Jesus Versoza.

He noted that Puno and Versoza did not violate any rule or regulation that would merit the filing of disciplinary charges.

No charges would also be filed against some members of the media, who allegedly behaved irresponsibly 'bordering on the criminal' during the coverage of the stand-off.

'We expect this kind of unprofessional behaviour not to be repeated again, or we would be compelled to ask Congress for appropriate regulations to protect the safety of the public, our security forces and media itself,' Aquino said.

The stand-off began when disgruntled former police officer Rolando Del Rosario Mendoza seized a tour bus carrying 25 people, mostly Hong Kong tourists.

Mendoza initially freed nine hostages through negotiations, but the crisis deteriorated when he began shooting at his captives after failing to get his demands met and seeing his brother arrested for alleged conspiracy.

Eight of the remaining 15 hostages were killed by Mendoza, according to the investigation report. The hostage-taker was also killed when police assaulted the bus.

Mendoza's brother, police officer Gregorio, faces administrative charges for serious disobedience and criminal charges for alleged conspiracy.

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