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MANILA: The Philippine government said it intended to wrap up its investigation into a hostage siege that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead by Monday.
A report on the incident would then be submitted to Hong Kong authorities as soon as possible, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told reporters on Thursday, but she did not say when the findings would be made public.
"We can wrap up the (formal) proceedings by Monday so we can start preparing the report," de Lima told reporters.
A disgruntled ex-policeman took a busload of Hong Kong tourists hostage in Manila on August 23.
Eight of the tourists were killed near the chaotic end of the 12-hour ordeal as unprepared police attempted to storm the bus. The siege finally ended when police shot the gunman dead.
Philippine authorities admitted to a string of blunders in handling the crisis, which has strained relations with Hong Kong.
De Lima said the report would help determine which officials were at fault, possibly leading to charges.
-AFP/wk
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