RP delegation gets hostage-taker's cellphone (8:46 a.m.)

MANILA -- The Hong Kong police have already turned over to their Philippine counterpart the three cellphones that were used during the August 23 hostage-taking in Manila.

Among the cellphones turned over Tuesday is the one used by hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza.

Mendoza hijacked a Hong Thai Travel bus in the morning of August 23 and held hostage 25 people. Eight of the hostages who are tourists from Hong Kong were killed in the incident.

Hong Kong Undersecretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said they will give the Philippine authorities a copy of the testimonies they get from the survivors of the tragedy in accordance to the mutual legal assistance agreements they signed with the Philippine government.

He said they will also allow the Philippine delegation that went to Hong Kong Monday to personally get the statements of the survivors.

The Philippine delegation tasked by a fact-finding committee, which has been conducting investigation on the hostage crisis, arrived at Hong Kong Monday. (Sunnex)