Noy: Rights of witnesses must be protected in HK

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine government will allow persons who might be called to testify in a public inquiry in Hong Kong regarding the Aug. 23 hostage crisis provided that they face no charges.

“We have to protect our sovereignty and we have to ensure the rights of the people that they are inviting (would be protected),” President Aquino told The STAR in an interview in Malacañang yesterday. 

He said as far as the hostage crisis is concerned, “we’re almost at closure,” crediting China and Hong Kong for cooperating in efforts to find a resolution to the issue.    

“They have been mature and very responsible people in helping us resolve this issue,” he said. “There really has been sincere effort to bring closure to this.” 

Aquino said he is monitoring the case of Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III, who was accused of asking for a P150,000 bribe from the hostage taker, police officer Rolando Mendoza, to dismiss the criminal case against him before the Office of the Ombudsman. Aquino has asked Gonzales to file an explanation in his office. “We’re waiting for his explanation, the adjudication is here because he is under my office, the power to discipline is under my office, for the deputy. It’s only the Ombudsman who is subject to impeachment,” he said.