Bishop Expects 'credible' IIRC Report

MANILA, Oct. 7, 2010-Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez hopes for a credible report on the bungled Aug.23 hostage taking incident, as the result of the investigation awaits approval.

Iñiguez, who chairs the CBCP's Public Affairs Committee, said the report made by the Incident Investigation Review Committee (IIRC) should be released in full and subjected to public scrutiny.

"The most important thing is that the report should be credible," Iñiguez said.

Portions of the report of the hostage crisis that resulted to the death of eight Chinese nationals have been posted in the government website.

The highlights of the report, however, that included the accountability of the officials and recommendations have been withheld for the meantime.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, IIRC chairman, appealed to critics to await the full disclosure of the report which is now being reviewed in Malacañang.

De Lima said the report would recommend either criminal or administrative charges against 12 officials, police and media people.

President Benigno Aquino III has vowed to release the full report in due time. He said he would review the recommendations before deciding what actions to take.

Asked to comment on the delay, the prelate gave the government the benefit of the doubt, amid suspicion that the report is being watered down.

"Let's hear what they say about the delay. In the first place, it is difficult to come up with a comprehensive report. Maybe they are just trying to complete it," the prelate said. (CBCPNews)