DOJ to file serious illegal detention vs Mendoza's brother in Luneta hostage

MANILA, Philippines - The brother of slain hostage taker Rolando Mendoza will face charges of serious illegal detention after the Department of Justice found probable cause that he helped hold hostage 21 Hong Kong tourists in a bus at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila last year.

Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Mendoza will be charged as an accomplice.

Assistant State Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano said the police officer had convinced his brother not to release the hostages.

“Of course, sensitive of the critical situation obtaining then, the actions of respondent must likewise be properly addressed by the Crisis Management Committee,” read the resolution.

“Ergo, respondent must be taken in for investigation. But instead of submitting himself for investigation, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza runs towards the media in a live broadcast by all national television, world cable networks and radio networks (and) unleashed his antipathy shouting ‘Papatayin nila ako, papatayin nila ako, hindi ako accessory’ (they will kill me, they will kill me, I am not an accessory), forcing the dramatization of his arrest.

“Sadly, furious with what he was watching live on television, the desperado Rolando Mendoza executed the carnage.”

Barcellano said Gregorio cooperated with his brother in committing the offense of serious illegal detention.

“Gregorio Mendoza supplied the material or moral aid in the execution of the crime in an efficacious way and since he was very much aware of the criminal intent of Rolando Mendoza and having participated in such murderous criminal designs sans a conspiracy, he is guilty of the milder form of quasi-collective criminal responsibility as accomplice to the crime of serious illegal detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code,” read the resolution.

Barcellano said the charge of illegal possession of firearms will also be filed against Gregorio.

“Considering that the crime of serious disobedience, as defined and penalized under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, is not among those crimes enumerated under Republic Act 8294 (illegal possession of firearms), the charge for illegal possession of firearms should continue to be prosecuted and tried,” read the resolution.

“Wherefore, finding probable cause, let an information for violation of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by RA 8294 be filed in court against respondent Gregorio Mendoza.”

The DOJ recommended bail of P200,000 for Gregorio in the charge of serious illegal detention, and P80,000 in illegal possession of firearms.

Gregorio will also be charged with serious disobedience, Barcellano said. The three charges will be filed in separate courts in Manila.