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MANILA : The Philippines on Sunday said it needed more time to complete its official inquiry into a deadly hostage crisis that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.
The investigation, which began last week, was scheduled to finish on Monday before a formal report is submitted to President Benigno Aquino and Hong Kong authorities.
But members of the investigating committee need more days to question witnesses as well as to re-enact the hostage drama that ended in a bungled police rescue, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told AFP.
"We will be extending up to Wednesday, it is not possible to wrap up (the investigation tomorrow," de Lima said.
De Lima said members of the inquiry board would on Tuesday inspect the park where the hostage taking played out live on televisions around the world on August 23.
A re-enactment of the day-long crisis was to be also carried out on Wednesday at a police camp where the bullet-riddled bus is being kept, she said.
The head of the country's police forces, Director General Jesus Versoza, on Sunday meanwhile said he took full responsibility for his men's failures as he announced an early retirement.
Five police officers who led the botched rescue had already been suspended in the political fall-out after the crisis.
"More than ever, it is imperative to take responsibility especially with regards to what has transpired in the past week," Versoza said in a statement.
Versoza said he was also accountable for all police officers "in everything they do and failed to do." He had told the inquiry earlier that he left town at the height of the crisis on an official business.
Versoza said he was stepping down on September 15, three months ahead of schedule.
A sacked police inspector hijacked a bus full of Hong Kong tourists two weeks ago in a crazed bid to regain his old job and be cleared of extortion charges.
The stand-off ended in bloodshed, when unprepared police commandos launched a flawed rescue attempt that left eight of the tourists dead.
Hong Kong authorities have demanded a speedy and impartial investigation amid a public outcry and a chilling of ties between the neighbours.
The inquiry has so far uncovered embarrassing lapses from police and city officials who took part in the failed hostage negotiations.
On Saturday, Manila's deputy mayor Isko Moreno told the inquiry that officials involved in the crisis had left their posts when the gunman began shooting while the force's best-trained unit sat out the assault. - AFP/ms
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