Demands of bus hostage victims' kin met — Lacierda

Malacañang on Friday insisted the Aquino administration has done what was necessary to address the demands of families of victims of the Manila hostage incident on August 23, 2010. “We’ve done their four demands. I do not think it is fair for them to say that (we have not done anything)," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said at a press briefing. The families and relatives of the victims demanded apology, compensation, prosecution of officials and beefing up of security for tourists. Government has issued an apology and a solidarity fund has been initiated by a private group, Lacierda said. “My understanding is some of the families have already received assistance from that solidarity fund. As to how many, I don’t know because it’s privately initiated," he said. On the prosecution of officials, Lacierda said some officials are facing charges due to the hostage incident. “[T]hey cannot accuse us of not doing anything. We have made progress as a result of the hostage-taking incident," he said. Lacierda explained the Department of Interior and Local Government legal service is reviewing and evaluating the memorandum submitted by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on the administrative charges for simple neglect and misconduct filed against him. He also said the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Office meted then National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Leocadio Santiago with an 11-day suspension for simple neglect of duty. “Maybe they [victims' families] have some people in mind that they felt we had to prosecute but again we are governed by our own laws. We’ve done our duty, we’ve investigated… and we have prosecuted…" he said. Sincerity of apologies The Philippine government proved the sincerity of its apologies by upgrading safety and security measures including setting up of a Crisis Action Force and beefed up security for tourists, he added. “I think whatever we do they have certain preconceived notions already. They expect certain things to be done especially with the prosecution of officials and, I think, that’s not to their satisfaction," the Palace official said. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will meet with the victim’s families who are arriving in the Philippines next week. De Lima led the Incident Investigation and Review Committee which determined who should be held liable for the 11-hour hostage crisis in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. In another development, the Philippine National Police will hold an ecumenical service for peace and solidarity this August 23 to recall the lessons from the hostage-taking incident. Attending are representatives of the Filipino-Chinese community, non- government organizations, the PNP leadership and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. After the ecumenical service, the PNP Crisis Action Force will stage a demonstration of their crisis response measures. — ELR/VS, GMA News