I'm not to blame for hostage crisis breakdown-Manila Mayor Lim

After the bloody end to Monday’s hostage crisis, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is being criticized.

During the Senate hearing on Thursday, some lawmakers noted that Lim should be held responsible for giving out the order for  the arrest of hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza’s brother, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, which is believed to have prompted Rolando’s shooting spree.

In an interview withj the Mayor, he explained that he only instructed authorities to controlGregorio and take him to the headquarters for questioning.

He said it was the negotiator, Senior Superintendent Orlando Yebra, who wanted to charge Gregorio with conspiracy for informing his brother not to surrender until his gun was returned.

"Pumasok si Colonel Yebra, sabi conspirator ito. I’ll charge him as an accessory in the hostage-taking. Sabi ko [kay Gregorio], bakit ganoon? Akala ko tutulong ka magpaliwanag para makumbinsi yung kapatid mo. Hindi, sabi niya, walang kwenta yan, dapat ireinstate na kaagad. Hindi namin matatanggap yan," he said.

"Medyo restless siya. Sabi ko, iposas nga ito, hostile na. Anong gagawin natin kung mang-agaw ng baril e to neutralize him. Di natuloy dahil sabi ko, wag na ninyo ituloy."

Lim said that the negotiations failed when the brother of the disgruntled ex-police made a scene.

"Poposasan pa lang, sabi ko, wag na. Sabi ko kay General [Rodolfo] Magtibay, mabuti pa, dalhin mo na sa headquarters. Pinasamahan ko sa pulis na i-escort paglabas. Yun pala, tumakbo sa media, sa harap ng PCP [Police Community Precinct], nagsisisigaw na."

Lim defended President Benigno Aquino after the criticisms that the chief executive was nowhere to be found at the height of the hostage crisis.

"Siguraduhin lang ninyo na maliligtas yung buhay ng mga hostages. Yun ang sabi ni President Aquino," Lim said. "Buong araw minomonitor nila yung nangyayari, sinabi ko lahat ng paraan gagawin para magkaroon ng peaceful solution."

Lim  sent Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno, as a member of the city government’s crisis management committee, to give assistance in  solving the crisis.

Lim said the ground commander, Manila Police District (MPD) Chief Rodolfo Magtibay, and the hostage negotiator Colonel Orlando Yebra, were on top of the hostage negotiations.

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