Robredo, Puno, Lim cited in review?

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will not spare Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Undersecretary Rico Puno in connection with the tragic outcome of the Aug. 23 hostage crisis, according to sources.

Sources said President Aquino made the promise after studying the report of the incident investigation and review committee on its investigation into the hostage drama, which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. Robredo is part of the IIRC, which was headed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

The President also considered the review of the IIRC report made by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and chief presidential legal counsel Eduardo de Mesa. 

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, sources added, would be held liable for simple neglect of duty, but Vice Mayor Isko Moreno would be spared.

Media members’ liability would be referred to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), sources said.

Retired police chief Gen. Jesus Verzosa would not be held liable but most of his officials on the ground would be made to account for their clumsy handling of the hostage incident.

The sources said although the IIRC found Verzosa liable, the review by Ochoa and de Mesa could not see how Verzosa could be faulted for pushing through with his trip to Cagayan de Oro City when the incident was already unfolding.

The sources said Robredo and Puno would be cited for command responsibility.

The President said the report would be released “hopefully” today. The report would include the specific charges or sanctions against individuals found liable. He said the sanctions would be “more or less in line with the recommendations of the IIRC.”

Mr. Aquino said he gave Puno “a set of instructions, including corrective actions,” to make him more effective in dealing with similar situations in the future.

The IIRC had recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Lim, who was chair of the city’s crisis management committee.