24 out of 84 pages have been withheld from public scrutiny

The full release of a long anticipated fault-finding report into the August hostage tragedy in Manila was postponed for a second time Thursday. Instead, Philippine President Aquino focused on a speech marking his first 100 days in office.

He told the nation in his address that the Philippines is garnering confidence from all over the world.

The full report by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee looking into the August 23 tragedy was to be released Wednesday. Deputy presidential spokesperson Undersecretary Abigail Valte however announced, "(the presidential palace is) making sure that everything is ironed out for the release, as we don't want to just release it and then face many more questions," Filipino media reported.

Twenty-four pages of the 84 page report into the tragedy have been withheld from public scrutiny. Presidential Palace spokesmen denied that Thursday's release was postponed so as not to overshadow the President's 100-day address.

The report details conclusions and offers recommendations for future handling of hostage crises. Filipino broadcaster GMA News quoted palace sources as saying several changes have been made to the report's recommendations. Among them criminal charges against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who left his post at the height of the standoff, have been downgraded to administrative charges.

The broadcaster also reported Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rice Puno will escape administrative charges recommended in the report, while penalties for former Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa and Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno were also removed, according to broadcast reports.

However, Manila Police District Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leocadio Santiago, chief negotiator Superindentent Orlando Yebra, and the head of the rescue team Chief Inspector Santiago Pascual, are expected to face administrative charges.

Sanctions against media outlets embroiled in the standoff will remain in place for Radyo Mo Nationwide anchors Michael Rogas, who monopolized the hostage taker's cellphone during the final moments, and Arwin Tulfo among others.

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong called on the Filipino government to release the report in full without delay, adding preliminary findings by Hong Kong investigators have been submitted to the city's coroners with a full report to be forwarded following the conclusion of ballistics tests.

It is hoped the report will shed light on the botched rescue attempt of 21 Hong Kong residents who were taken hostage by disgraced ex-cop Rolando Mendoza.

The 55-year-old gunman, who took the hostages in a bid to be reinstated to his position as a senior police officer, killed eight before he was shot dead by ill-equipped and poorly-trained police, who took more than an hour to breach the bus's windows and doors.

China Daily

(HK Edition 10/08/2010 page1)