Palace to clarify HK request for 100 witnesses on hostage probe

Malacañang on Saturday said it will clarify the Hong Kong government’s request to have more than 100 witnesses from the Philippines testify in its own public inquiry on the hostage fiasco in Manila last August, which left dead eight tourists from the special Chinese territory. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Saturday that the Philippine government would like to know if Hong Kong officials want the Filipino witnesses to fly to the Chinese territory to testify or just send out-of-court oral testimonies through local courts. “As much as we want to get into the details now, we don’t have the mechanics of what the Hong Kong side wants to do in this respect… considering that the witnesses they want to summon are outside their jurisdiction," Valte said in an interview over state-run dzRB Saturday. She added that some details about the request will have to be clarified with the Hong Kong government, such as transportation and security arrangements if the witnesses are asked to personally take the witness stand during the inquiry. “Maraming detalyeng kailangan i-work out [There are many details we need to work out] before we can make an assessment, before we can properly see ano ang magiging response natin dito [what should be our proper response]," she said. Valte however added that the Philippine government’s primary concern is the rights of the Filipinos who are being asked for testimonies by Hong Kong probers. “Kailangan natin siguraduhin na irerespeto ang karapatan ng ating mga kababayan na ipapatawag doon kung sakali [We need to ensure that the rights of our citizens who might be summoned there are respected]," she said. Hong Kong is reportedly summoning 116 witnesses from the Philippines, including local government, police and medical officials who were involved in the hostage crisis. Among those being asked by the Hong Kong justice department to give testimonies on the bloody hostage tragedy is Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, who has been recommended to face administrative charges for the bungled rescue attempt four months ago. Last August 23, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus carrying 25 people, including 20 tourists from Hong Kong, in an attempt to get his job back. The 11-hour hostage drama ended in a bloody carnage, killing eight Hong Kong nationals and the lone hostage taker in a bungled police rescue. (See: Massacre in nation's heart: Timeline of Manila bus siege) The Philippine government has recently sent Tourism chief Alberto Lim on a “goodwill mission" to Hong Kong to discuss with officials of the special Chinese territory the measures being undertaken by the Philippines in the aftermath of the hostage tragedy. (See: PHL, HK officials to discuss Manila hostage fiasco)—With Andreo C. Calonzo/JV, GMANews.TV