Key people in hostage crisis shun HK probe

MANILA, Philippines – Key personalities in the hostage-taking fiasco at the Quirino Grandstand in August last year have refused to take part in an investigation in Hong Kong.

Of the 116 persons invited to the Hong Kong probe, 70 of them have declined to appear.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, former Manila police director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay and hostage negotiator Superintendent Orlando Yebra Jr. have manifested their decision to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Their reason was that they had already testified and presented evidence before the incident investigation and review committee (IIRC),” she said.

De Lima said Alberto Lubang, the bus driver whose testimony was key in the IRRC probe, has also begged off, along with 50 members of Manila police Rapid Deployment Platoon.

The DOJ has already informed Hong Kong of the development through a letter, she added.

De Lima said the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory has agreed to send a representative to the investigation.

The others have not responded yet, she added.

De Lima said witnesses could not be compelled to attend the Hong Kong probe.

The DOJ is still waiting for clarification from Hong Kong on the scope of the investigation and the manner by which testimonies of witnesses would be gathered, she added.

De Lima said Hong Kong has clarified through verbal communication that the probe of the coroner’s office would be limited to the determination of the cause of death of the eight victims.

“They explained that inquest proceedings are not a criminal proceeding, so technically (it is) not covered by the MLAT (Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty),” she said.

Hong Kong representatives have assured the government that the witnesses would be accorded necessary safeguards, De Lima said.

Other officials invited by Hong Kong were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, and retired Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa.

GMA 7 reporter Susan Enriquez was also invited.