STATEMENT ON THE HOSTAGE TAKER'S LAST INTERVIEW

We will request the management of Radio Mindanao Network to give us a copy of their full interview with hostage taker Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza for our next hearing on the incident. Based on the excerpts of the interview, he knew what is happening outside because of the TV monitor inside the bus. It is absurd that the authorities overlooked this matter when they drastically arrested the brother of the hostage taker. Malinaw na sa halip na makatulong ang pag-aresto kay Gregorio, ito pa ang nagpalalala ng sitwasyon.

I also saw video footages of the hostage drama and apparently, several times there were clear shots of the hostage taker; snipers should have used these opportunities to immobilize him. Alam nating kabaro ng mga otoridad ang hostage-taker at bilang pulis- Maynila, marami kung hindi man lahat sa mga rumesponde sa insidente ang nakakakilala o malapit sa kanya. Ito rin ang isa sa ating uusisain sa susunod na pagdinig, kung nangibabaw ba ang pagganap sa tungkulin o ang simpatiya sa kapwa-pulis.