Hostage-taking timeline inconsistent: De Lima (3:12 p.m.)

MANILA -- A fact-finding committee handling the investigation on the August 23 tragedy that left eight tourists dead still has to determine the correct timeline of the incident, after hearing conflicting statements from people involved in the hostage drama.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who heads the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC), said during the hearing Tuesday they still have to check which of the parties involved are telling the truth as to when the hostage-taking incident happened.

Questions were raised after Alberto Lubang, the driver of Hong Thai Travel bus hijacked by dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza last August 23, said they left Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila around 9:45 a.m. after an hour of sightseeing.

The bus driven by Lubang was carrying 21 tourists from Hong Kong, China, two photographers, and a tourist guide.

Lubang said when he arrived at Fort Santiago to fetch the tourists, Mendoza in police uniform approached the bus and asked where they were headed, to which one of the photographers replied: "Papunta kami ng airport." (We’re bound for the airport.)

Mendoza then said, "Tamang-tama, makikisabay ako," and boarded the bus.

Luband said at first, he did not want the policeman to get into the bus as this was strictly prohibited by his company, but Mendoza said he would protect them.

When the bus was moving, Mendoza declared he was taking them hostage and ordered the driver to go to Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. Lubang said they arrived at the grandstand around 10 a.m.

The time Lubang gave, however, is contrary to what members of the Manila Police District (MPD) told IIRC, said Secretary de Lima.

The MPD, in its affidavit submitted to the IIRC, said it received the first report on the hostage taking at 9:07 a.m. The policemen said they arrived in Quirino Grandstand at 9:15 a.m. and the hijacked bus was already there.

De Lima said members of MPD are consistent with their statements, but the time given by Lubang is backed by the testimony of Diana Chan, the tourist guide.

De Lima said members of the fact-finding committee will conduct further investigation on the case and will inspect the bus and the site of the carnage in Quirino Grandstand. (Sunnex)