MANILA -- Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda reacted on the disappointment expressed by the Hong Kong government upon receiving the copy of the review conducted by the legal team.
“We understand the disappointment by the relatives of the fatalities. The thing is it must be emphasized that the findings of IIRC were recommendatory in nature. There were parameters. Let's prove facts. We should determine if cases can be filed and if they will prosper. We don’t want to file cases that will be dismissed,” he said.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government earlier said in a statement that the survivors and victims' families will find the Palace review which lessened the recommended actions hard to accept.
Lacierda also defended the Palace's decision to spare Undersecretary Rico Puno of the Department of Interior and Local Government, saying that President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III only assigned him to monitor the hostage-taking incident.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. further said Aquino's friendship with Puno is not the basis of the Palace's decision. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)