Aquino orders filing of raps vs 8 people

MANILA (Updated 4:42 p.m.) -- President Benigno Aquino III ordered at least four government agencies to initiate administrative and criminal proceedings against officials involved in the August 23 hostage crisis.

Aquino, in a press conference in Malacañang Monday, bared the names of personalities who were recommended to be charged in connection with the incident that killed eight tourists from Hong Kong.

Timeline: First 100 days of the Aquino presidency

Among those to be charged are Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, for gross incompetence and series neglect of duty; Director Leocadio Santiago Jr., for less grave neglect of duty; Superintendent Orlando Yebra, for neglect for duty; and Chief Inspector Santiago Pascual III, for gross incompetence.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is also facing administrative charges for misconduct in office and simple neglect.

President Aquino said Lim's case will be referred to the Department of Interior and Local Government for appropriate proceedings.

Also held responsible for the hostage crisis was Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III, for neglect of duty and/or inefficiency in the performance of official duty and gross misconduct.

As to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, President Aquino referred the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) report to the House of Representatives for appropriate action.

Gutierrez is facing impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives.

The President also instructed the Department of Justice to expedite the resolution of the serious disobedience and conspiracy in illegal detention cases currently lodged against SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza.

He also instructed the Manila Police District to file appropriate complaints for illegal possession of firearms and serious illegal detention against Gregorio for acting as an accomplice of his brother Rolando Mendoza, the hostage-taker.

In the case of media, he ordered the review and revision of coverage guidelines in emergency situations following the involvement of Michael Rogas and Erwin Tulfo, both from Radyo Mo Nationwide (RMN) station, in the hostage crisis.

"We expect this kind of unprofessional behavior not to be repeated again, or we could be compelled to ask Congress for appropriate regulations to protect the safety of the public, our security forces and media itself," the President said.

Aquino meantime admonished Local Government Secretary Robredo and Undersecretary Rico Puno for failing to uphold the high standards of performance that he demands from them.

He said he met with Robredo and Puno Sunday night and the Local Government officials vowed to exercise professionalism.

The recommendations of the IIRC and the review by the Executive Secretary and Chief Presidential Legal Consultant can be accessed through the Official Gazette website, the President said.(Sunnex)