MANILA, Philippines - As far as Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno is concerned, the local government responded with great effort to the hostage crisis last August 23 until the police took over to bring down the gunman.

He said, however, that the crisis had become an incident that should have been handled by the national government.

In his testimony before the Incident Investigation and Review Committee, the vice mayor insisted the local crisis management committee, which handles local crisis situations, was immediately “formed” when Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim learned of the happenings at the Quirino Grandstand.

Pressed by the members of the review committee, however, Moreno—Francisco Domagoso in real life—admitted he does not know the “composition” of the crisis management committee.

Under the rules, the city mayor automatically becomes the chairman of the committee and the vice mayor as the vice-chairman. Representatives from the city health office, non-government organizations, Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others, are under this crisis committee.

“The mayor, from the beginning, already ordered the department heads to stand by…the city provided doctors, etc…ito ang tulong ng syudad,” he said.

He could not determine, however, if the so-called members were at the command post, established at that time to be at the police station.

Letter from the Ombudsman

Moreno stressed he himself volunteered to go to the Office of the Ombudsman to get the commitment of the agency to respond to the demand of the gunman, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza.

It took him about 3 hours to get to the place and back to the command post to deliver the letter, which basically stated Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s personal handling of Mendoza’s case.

He mentioned there was a verbal agreement with the officials of the agency that the case will be dealt with in the next 10 days.

Moreno said he was “excited” and confident that the letter was already “enough” to pacify Mendoza. He described that Mendoza “courteously” thanked him for the efforts.

It would later be learned, however, that Mendoza considered the letter wanting and a “garbage.”

Moreno denied he was informed of one of the requests of Mendoza that the case also be brought to the Department of Justice (DoJ).

He also did not know of the other demands, such as the gunman’s reinstatement to the service.

Had he known, he said he would have “moved heaven and earth” to do everything, albeit “under duress.”

Mendoza’s agitation

Upon arriving back at the command center, Moreno immediately gave the letter to the negotiators.

At that time, he already saw at the command center Lim and other high-ranking officials of the Manila Police District.

Gregorio, Mendoza’s brother, was also there, he said.

He said Lim allowed Gregorio to enter the hostage scene in the hope that police will make another breakthrough in the crisis.

Later, however, Superintendent Orlando Yebra, the head negotiator, brought back Gregorio inside the command post, accusing him of conspiracy. Gregorio supposedly told Mendoza not to give in until the police gave back his gun, which was confiscated before he was allowed to go near Mendoza.

It was also during that time that Moreno heard the first gunshot, which he described as off-putting.

Mayor Lim and the police officials had a meeting thereafter, probably to talk about the incident and what to do with Gregorio, Moreno said.

He would later hear Lim order the police to “escort” the brother to the main office at the United Nations Avenue.

Moreno monitors on television

Upon learning that Lim had left for the new command post at the Emerald Restaurant, Moreno said he already left the hostage scene and went to the nearby Manila Pavilion to have coffee and monitor the incidents on television.

“When the mayor left, my belief was that, since I did not know the structure of the crisis management committee, this is now police situation…Umeskerda na ako,” he said.

This was further highlighted by the fact that on his way out, the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) group, were already preparing to enter the scene.

He even wished them luck, he said.

Of national crisis

Despite the efforts of the local government, Moreno said the hostage crisis had already reached a national crisis level.

“I’m not a specialist…but I believe on a personal level, kung involved na foreigners, sana dumating na national government…dapat kabahagi na ng problema…That’s my personal opinion,” he said.

Moreno revealed that, early in the day, members from the foreign media had been trying to call him on his cellphone.

He also noted there were even representatives from the Chinese embassy who went to the command post to personally look into the situation.