Aquino - Hostage Crisis Will Not Define My Administration

President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III on Thursday he expressed regret over the handling of the August 23 hostage crisis that left eight Hong Kong hostages and the hostage-taker himself dead.

"This incident will not define this administration. In the end, my administration will be judged on what we have accomplished and what we will accomplish in the coming years: a reduction in poverty and the restoration of a government that is honest in its efforts to build a better nation," Aquino uttered during a rare panel interview with TV news anchors from three broadcast networks of the Philippines.

Aquino said he was repeatedly assured that the Special Action Force (SAF), which he said is capable of handling such a situation, would immediately be deployed to the Quirino Grandstand in case there is a need for a tactical assault.

"Nung nangyari na po yung pagbaril sa gulong ng bus, yung napakatagal na pagapasok ng SWAT, yung hindi alam yung gagawin ng SWAT, dun po talagang napuno na tayo na yung assurances na binibigay sa atin eh hindi po natupad at tumungo tayo at hinanap na natin yung mga opisyal na concerned," he said.

Aquino said a letter of apology and the IIRC's findings will be presented to the Hong Kong government by a high-level delegation led by Vice-President Jejomar Binay once the probe is finished.

The president said further possible tension with Hong Kong was avoided when the Philippine government chose not to respond negatively to what he called an "insulting" letter from the Hong Kong government after the crisis.

"Yung sulat ng opisyal na galing sa gobyerno ng Hong Kong na sa ating tingin ay nakaka-insulto ay hindi na rin po natin ni-respond, dinaan na lang po natin sa kanilang People’s Republic of China government na iparating na hindi ho yata tama ito hong sulat na ipinadala, hindi natin nagustuhan yung tono," he said.

The panel interview with Mel Tiangco of GMA Network, Ted Failon of ABS-CBN, and Paolo Bediones of TV5, conducted in Malacañang, was held to settle the questions regarding the president's handling of the hostage crisis.