8/8/2019 Statement of P-Noy on the IIRC Report (11 October 2010)

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8/8/2019 Statement of P-Noy on the IIRC Report (11 October 2010)

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Refer the IIRC Report to the House of Representatives for appropriate action in the case of Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez;

Instruct the Department of Justice to expedite the resolution of the serious disobedience andconspiracy in illegal detention cases currently lodged against SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza and to

instruct the Manila Police District to file appropriate complaints for illegal possession of firearms and serious illegal detention as an accomplice of his brother Rolando Mendoza;In the case of media, we view media as an effective partner in providing checks and balances, andto this end, allies in our goal of good governance. We will continue to champion freedom of thepress as guaranteed in our Constitution. However, in this case, freedom was not tempered withappropriate responsibility in the behavior of Michael Rogas and Erwin Tulfo of RMN. Rogasinterfered in the negotiations and effectively aided and supported the hostage taker by giving him aplatform to air his demands. Tulfo, by his own admission, violated police instructions. Theirbehavior was irresponsible bordering on the criminal.

We understand that the major networks have taken action to discipline errant reporters and arereviewing and revising guidelines for coverage in emergency situations. These are encouraging signsthat media is taking responsibility for its actions.

We expect this kind of unprofessional behavior not to be repeated again, or we could be compelledto ask Congress for appropriate regulations to protect the safety of the public, our security forcesand media itself.

I have also admonished Secretary Robredo and Undersecretary Puno for failing to uphold the high

standards of performance that I demand from them. I sat them down last night. The outcome was acommitment for more professionalism, starting with their acting as one.

I pledged from the very start that there would be accountability. The purpose of the Review was tofind the viable legal actions which can be taken against the concerned parties.

In addition, as you know, we are taking steps to enhance our ability to respond to future crises.

We are redrafting the ten-year old Malacaang crisis manual written in the year 2000 to make it

more responsive to not only hostage situations but other crises we may face in the future. We havealso established a presidential situation room so that actions by the government in crisis situationscan be more coordinated and swift. Were also in the process of reviewing the capabilities of oursecurity forces to see what may be done with regard to training and procurement of equipment.

I have also instructed that the recommendations of the IIRC and the review by the ES and CPLC beposted on the Official Gazette website, as promised.