PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has disregarded the recommendations of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee to charge administratively Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico E. Puno and recently retired Philippine National Police chief Jesus Verzosa.
The IIRC, headed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, investigated the Aug. 23 hostage tragedy that killed eight Hong Kong tourists.
Aquino’s decision was based on the recommendations of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Ed de Mesa, who reviewed the IIRC’s findings and recommendations.
Almost all the IIRC’s recommendations were downgraded.
Aquino found fault in the actions of Radio Mindanao Network’s Michael Rogas and Erwin Tulfo during the hostage crisis and warned that he would initiate legislation that would regulate media if they repeat “unprofessional behavior.”
Click the matrix to compare the IIRC’s recommendations and the Palace action—or inaction—on these.
