Lim, Magtibay told to bring concerns before proper forum

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday called on Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay to just bring their concerns to the proper forum instead of bickering in public.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said nothing would change the decision of the President, even if they engage in a “blame game.”

“As far as the Palace is concerned, the President has already spoken, the recommendations have been given, and as to the discussions and exchanges (of allegations), there’s a proper forum for this,” Valte said over radio station dzRB.

The Department of Interior and Local Government and the National Police Commission are set to file charges against Lim and Magtibay.

Yesterday, Lim denied that he was in full control of the police during the hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila last Aug. 23 where eight Hong Kong tourists and the hostage-taker were killed.

Lim insisted that he was also not informed of developments during the hostage crisis. He claimed Magtibay, the on-scene commander in charge of operations, never talked to him.

On the other hand, Magtibay said Lim was the one actually in control of the situation and blamed Lim for the way the negotiations and rescue operations went.

He added that he was only following orders from Lim, himself a former chief of the Manila police.

On Magtibay’s statement that the order to handcuff hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza’s brother Gregorio was the tipping point that messed up the situation, Lim clarified that his order was meant merely to immobilize Gregorio.

He said the move was prompted by chief negotiator Superintendent Orlando Yebra’s report that he would have Gregorio charged as a conspirator after he incensed his brother by saying that his gun had not been returned.