MANILA (Updated 12:12 p.m.) -- The body of the slain hostage-taker, who killed eight Hong Kong tourists last August 23, will be finally laid to rest Saturday afternoon in his hometown in Tanauan City, Batangas.
Dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza was killed by a sniper shot in the head after police bungled the negotiations for the release of remaining Hong Kong tourists he held for a day near a historic park in Manila on Monday.
Mendoza, a decorated police officer, lost his job after he was involved in an extortion and drug-related case filed by a hotel chef.
The former police officer, who demanded reinstatement, killed eight Hong Kong tourists before police commandos stormed the bus to end the 12-hour stand-off.
Mendoza’s burial follows after a 2 p.m. requiem mass at the Tanuan Catholic Church in Batangas province.
Mendoza's family and relatives had arrived to attend his funeral. Mendoza’s remains are currently at his hometown in Tanauan, Batangas.
More people are expected to attend Mendoza's burial on Saturday.
The Tanauan City police said they will deploy personnel during the funeral to maintain security and to assist the traffic situation.
Police also said they will investigate who ordered the draping of the national flag over the coffin of the dismissed police officer.
The Chinese government had condemned the act of placing Philippine flag on Mendoza’s coffin, saying the former police officer does not deserve such a way of honoring.
Presidential Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang said the government did not authorize the draping of flag over the coffin of the dismissed police officer.
“Nobody from the government has ordered that,” Carandang said.
Carandang said it was the family of Mendoza who decided on the use of Philippine flag. However Mendoza's family denied the claims.
Moved by left and right criticisms, Tanauan Batangas Mayor Sonia Torres Aquino had said that the flag over Mendoza’s coffin has been removed.
The family expressed sadness over the removal of the flag adding they did not ask the honor to be given to Mendoza. (Sunnex)