MANILA, Philippines – Almost 4 years after Philippine police mishandled a hostage-taking incident in the city of Manila, the Philippines and Hong Kong finally reached an “agreement” on the demands made by survivors and the families of the victims in the bloody crisis.

Eight Hong Kong tourists died on August 23, 2010, during a 10-hour hostage crisis.

In a joint statement, Hong Kong and the Philippines said they had “agreed” on the 4 demands of survivors and relatives of the victims: “an apology, compensation, punishment for the officials responsible, and improved tourist safety,” according to a South China Morning Post report.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima, the Morning Post earlier reported, was there to personally give a report on the sanctions on the cops who bungled the rescue operations. He has also “written to all victims or their families.”

According to a document posted on the Hong Kong website, 5 Philippine cops received sanctions as a result of the 2010 hostage taking crisis:

Rodolfo Y. Magtibay, then-district director of the Manila Police District (MPD) and ground commander:

• Compulsory retirement on March 14, 2011
• All retirement benefits have been withheld and will be withheld “until final resolution of the case”
• Guilty of “gross incompetence” in performing duties as on-scene commander; “serious neglect of duty” charge was dismissed
• Demoted one rank on October 20, 2013 
• Office of the President is set to review the decision of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) decision which was transmitted on November 11, 2013

Orlando Yebra, chief of MPD-Legal and chief negotiator  

• Culpable of gross incompetence for “failure to alert his superiors when it became manifest that the hostage-taker had grown agitated and angry after reading the letter from the Office of the Ombudsman”
• “Failed to properly perform his duty as negotiator”
• Charges of “serious neglect of duty” and “serious irregularity in the performance of duty” were dismissed
• Demoted one rank on October 20, 2013
• Napolcom denied Yebra’s motion for reconsideration, but the latter has since filed an appeal before the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The CSC has yet to make a ruling

Santiago Pascual III, over-all leader of the MPD-SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics)

• Culpable for “gross incompetence for his failure to satisfactorily perform his duty as the assault leader” 
• “Failed to inquire about the structure of the bus which might have aided the Special Weapons and Tactics” team
• “Failed to coordinate with the on-scene commander… to direct media to turn off their lights” so the SWAT team could approach properly 
• Demoted one rank on October 30, 2013 
• Napolcom denied Pascual’s motion for reconsideration

Leocadio Santiago Jr, National Capital Region Police Office director  

• Liable for “simple neglect of duty”
• Suspended for 11 days from March 4-14, 2011

Gregorio Mendoza, brother of hostage-taker

• “Culpable for grave misconduct and illegal possession of firearms”
• Dismissed from service on October 30, 2013 
• Serious illegal detention charges were dismissed in April 2013 
• Faces pending charges for illegal possession of firearms and “resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person”

The Philippines also told Hong Kong officials about new policies and measures done to “ensure tourist safety.” – Rappler.com