Charges recommended in Philippines hostage fiasco

The country’s justice chief is seeking charges against about ten members of the media, policemen, and other officials in the deaths of eight tourists.

A hostage situation onboard a Manila bus last month ended with the deaths of eight hostages and the gunman. Immediately afterwards questions were asked of the police, who appeared unprepared to deal with the situation and unleashed a flurry of gunfire into the bus in the final moments of the standoff. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has announced she is seeking charges against the police and government officials, as well as members of the media. The entire drama was broadcast live on television. Three of the victims on the tourist bus were Canadian citizens, and the majority were from Hong Kong and China. The incident has strained relations between the Philippines and China.