MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - The chief of the National Capital Region Police Office on Monday said he will penalize police officers who took photos of themselves posing in front of the hijacked Hong Thai travel bus and then uploaded the pictures on Facebook.

Speaking to ANC, NCRPO Chief Director Leocadio Santiago said the police officers could face administrative sanctions for neglecting their duties and for violating the Philippine National Police (PNP) Code of Conduct.

"If their task is to secure the area of perimeter, the mandate should be performing that duty. Since PNP is a public office, it should always be of public trust,” he said.

Santiago said 3 of the 7 police officers who took “souvenir pictures” near the hijacked tourist bus were already identified. The three are members of the Regional Public Safety Batallion, he added.

If found guilty, the erring police officers could be cited for poor conduct and be disqualified for promotion. Even worse, Santiago said the police officers could also be demoted.

Santiago said police officers should be more sensitive to the plight of the victims in the hostage-taking incident. He said all policemen should be responsible for the photos they post in their Facebook accounts.

“Anything that is brought out to the public can be used against you. Public office has its limitations,” he added.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda earlier requested the nation to refrain from trivializing the incident. He asked all Filipinos to respect the area after having been alerted about the issue.

Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed after a sacked policeman hijacked a tourist bus at Quirino Grandstand and demanded that he be reinstated to the police force.