Stop using media for bickering, Valte tells Aug. 23 officials

Two officials involved in the botched handling of the Aug. 23 hostage crisis should stop using media for their bickering, Malacañang said Sunday. “In their exchange of words, there is a proper forum for this. In fending off their charges against each other, they should do it before the proper forum. And there, if ever, the charges are filed against them," Presidential deputy spokeswoman Abigail Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Valte was referring to former Manila Police District head Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who have been accusing each other in public as responsible for the hostage tragedy. Magtibay had claimed that Lim — who insisted he was not fully informed of developments at the time — was responsible for the botched handling of the Aug. 23 incident. While Magtibay said Lim chairs the local crisis management committee, Lim said the actual operation fell under Magtibay as head of the incident management task force. “As far as the Palace is concerned, the president has already spoken, the recommendations have been given," Valte pointed out. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed in the incident along with their hostage-taker, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. Malacañang had recommended sanctions against Lim and Magtibay after reviewing the report of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee, headed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. In its final report, Malacañang said Magtibay may be liable for gross incompetence or “manifest lack of adequate ability and fitness." The Palace report said that Magtibay “failed to take direct and full control of the situation, and he violated protocol per the Crisis Management Manual." Also, it said that Magtibay may be found liable for serious neglect of duty for his refusal to comply with the President’s order to mobilize the Philippine National Police’s elite special action force to assault the bus should it be necessary. On the other hand, it said that administrative charges may be initiated against Lim for simple neglect as only the negotiation group of his Crisis Management Committee appeared to have been fully organized. It found that Lim never went to the Crisis Management Operation Center while the crisis was in progress. The Palace report cited Lim’s order to arrest Mendoza’s brother SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza and to have him brought to Tondo, which may have triggered hostage-taker Mendoza’s rampage. Tondo is popularly known as an area where rub outs take place. — JE/VS, GMANews.TV