De Lima says no need to send 116 witnesses to Hong Kong

MANILA – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima  remained firm that there was no need to send to Hong Kong the 116 witnesses invited by the Hong Kong government for the conduct of their own investigation into the Manila hostage-taking incident.

De Lima chaired the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) tasked by President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III that conducted an in-depth investigation into the incident to determine what really transpired during that fateful day.

The incident claimed the lives of eight Hong Kong tourists, including the hostage-taker himself, dismissed Manila police Sr. Insp. Rolando Mendoza, in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, Manila on Aug. 23, 2010.

De Lima stressed that if the only reason of the death of the eight hostaged Hong Kong nationals will be investigated, the IIRC Report may just be adopted.

Likewise, De Lima said, the elements of the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) might as well appear in the investigation of the Hong Kong government.

But if the Hong Kong government insists on the presence of the 116 witnesses, De Lima said, they should first get the “official confirmation” about the real scope and “nature” of the said investigation into the said crime committed last August 23.

The 116 witnesses include the members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, Special Action Force and other personalities who testified in the investigation of the IIRC.

De Lima added that it is just proper to place the 116 witnesses under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) so that their rights will be protected.