MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman is keeping mum over the case of a hostage-taking Manila policeman it had recommended for dismissal. 

Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus faced the media late Monday afternoon to confirm that Manila Vice-Mayor Francisco Domagoso, popularly known as Isko Moreno, met with Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez to discuss the case of dismissed Manila police officer Rolando Mendoza.

De Jesus said Gutierrez and Moreno met from 3 p.m. to around 5 p.m.

As of posting, Moreno was reportedly on his way to Manila with a letter from Gutierrez to Mendoza.

De Jesus said the Ombudsman would like to let Moreno make the announcement.

He said the Ombudsman will have a separate press conference on Tuesday.

De Jesus refused to take questions on whether the Ombudsman offered any concession to end the hostage crisis.

Mendoza, 55, was an awarded policeman who rose through the ranks, and is scheduled for compulsory retirement next year.

Because he was dismissed in February 2009, he faces forfeiture of his retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification from government service. He demands reinstatement to the force.

Mendoza was one of five Manila police officers ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman for alleged extortion and for forcing a suspect to swallow metamphetaine hydrochloride (shabu), based on the accusation of chef Christian Kalaw, who was arrested and was allegedly mulcted with P23,000.

Kalaw was apprehended for alleged illegal parking and driving without license on April 9, 2006 at 10:30 p.m. while Kalaw was sitting inside his car parked at the corner of Vito Cruz and Taft Avenue in Manila.

Kalaw filed charges of robbery, robbery-extortion, grave threats and physical injuries against Mendoza and his police officers.

Mendoza had appealed the finding by the deputy Ombudsman that substantial evidence of grave misconduct existed to warrant his dismissal, along with the dismissal of Inspector Nelson Lagasca, SPO1 Nestor David, PO3 Wilson Gavino and PO2 Roderick Lopena.

In 2006, Gavino and Lopena allegedly asked for Kalaw’s license and accused him of illegal use of drugs. The two then allegedly took his ATM card but weren’t able to get any money. Kalaw was arrested, and David and Lopena allegedly grabbed his neck and ordered him to swallow the shabu.

Kalaw was then brought to the Manila police headquarters where Mendoza, Lagasca and Gavino allegedly demanded P200,000 in exchange for his release. -- with a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News