from: abs-cbnnews.com
MANILA, Philippines - The Hong Kong government is "disappointed" over the decision of the Philippine government to "lessen the recommended actions" against those liable in the August 23 bus hijacking incident.
This statement came after the Palace legal team watered down several of the recommendations of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee with respect to the filing of criminal and administrative charges against 13 individuals in the August 23 hostage crisis.
"The people of Hong Kong, especially the survivors and the victims' families, will find this hard to accept. The Hong Kong SAR [Special Autonomous Region] Government is also disappointed," a statement released by the office of Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang on Tuesday said.
"Hong Kong people expect the Philippine Government to handle the question of responsibility of the officials and persons involved in a fair manner, and follow through the required actions seriously," it said.
"We ask that the Philippine Government follow through the required actions. The eventual actions to be taken against the persons involved must live up to their pledge to be accountable to the public. That is also what is owed to the dead and the injured. We will convey our views to the Philippine Government through proper channels," it said.
The Hong Kong government also said they are waiting for the Philippine government to publicize the findings into the causes of death of the eight victims, and the causes of injury for the others.
"As far as we understand, the Review Committee of the Philippines will in due course submit a second report on the review of the mechanism and procedures of handling similar incidents. We hope the report will come up with concrete improvement measures to avoid recurrence of such tragedies," the statement said.
Meanwhile, the HK statement said they are "working at full steam" in their investigation, as required by their Coroner's Office, to submit a final report on the incident as soon as possible.
"Upon receipt of the relevant information, the Coroner will decide whether to hold a hearing. We are confident that the Coroner's Court will arrive at a fair and professional judgment," the statement said.
Specifically, the legal review absolved Interior Undersecretary Rico Puno, retired Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa, and Manila Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno of any administrative or criminal liabilities in the hostage fiasco.
The Palace legal team said chief negotiator Superintendent Orlando Yebra should be sanctioned for neglect of duty instead of gross incompetence, and did not recommend criminal charges against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, head of the crisis management committee tasked with solving the hostage tragedy. With a report from Nadia Trinidad, ABS-CBN News
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