Hostage-taker's firearm killed hostages, De Lima says

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, chairperson of the Incident Investigation Review Committee (IIRC), said it appears that hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza's gun killed the eight Hong Kong tourists on August 23. At a news conference in Manila, De Lima said the conclusion is based on the accounts of three survivors who witnessed the hostage crisis until it reached its bloody end. Asked whether it can already be concluded that Mendoza killed the hostages, De Lima replied: "Yes." "The accounts of the three survivors who were there are substantial enough," she added. De Lima also said the IIRC will recommend the filing of charges against approximately 10 persons. She did not elaborate nor did she disclose their identities. She also did not mention whether the charges are criminal or administrative in nature. Last week, De Lima spoke about the possibility that not all eight tourists were killed by Mendoza. (See: Friendly fire may have killed some hostages — De Lima) "There is always a possibility," De Lima said then when asked if some of the hostages may have been killed by friendly fire. "We should not miss that. If that is the case then we should never miss that. Otherwise our report will be less than thorough given these discrepancies now," she added. Hostage crisis On August 23, at around 10:00 a.m., Mendoza, a dismissed police senior inspector, hijacked the Hong Thai Travel bus where 25 people — 21 Hong Kong tourists, bus driver Alberto Lubang, tour guide Diana Chan, and two Filipino photographers — were on board. Mendoza later commandeered the bus to the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Mendoza demanded for his reinstatement into police service and the dismissal of his pending case at the Office of the Ombudsman. As evening approached, negotiations bogged after Mendoza called as "garbage" the Ombudsman's vow to review his case. Mendoza also started his shooting rampage when he saw a live footage of his brother being arrested. The IIRC has recently concluded a five-day marathon hearing where key personalities involved in the crisis gave their accounts. The IIRC report, based on testimonies and forensic results, will be submitted by the inter-agency panel to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on Friday. The report is "95 percent" complete, said De Lima, adding that its parts will include the following: recitation of facts, evaluation of facts, identifying who is accountable, and the recommendations. — RSJ/VVP, GMANews.TV