By Manolo B. Jara

MANILA: President Benigno “Noynoy” appeared on Thursday in an unprecedented televised press conference and admitted he was “irked” by the bungled police rescue attempt that resulted in the killing of eight Hong Kong tourists in Manila on Aug.23.

The President hinted he felt betrayed because of assurances from local officials and the police that they would resolve the hostage-taking, the first major crisis in his administration, without any loss of lives.

“What I saw in actuality was far different from the assurances that I received from the responsible officials and police officers that they would resolve the problem,” he emphasised in a two-hour televised interview from Malacanang with the news anchors of the country’s three biggest broadcast networks.

Aquino also disclosed that initial investigation has established the existence of widespread anomalies in the purchase of vital police equipment to be used in crisis situations like bullet-proof vests and firearms.

He said the probe tended to confirm the involvement of ranking police officers and suppliers linked to other major scandals in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Aquino likewise insisted he was on top of the situation by keeping in close contact with the responsible officials in answer to criticisms that he did not show up at the site during the hostage-taking.

As a result of the fiasco, the President reiterated that “heads will roll” based on the findings and recommendations of a five-member panel he created to undertake a fair, transparent and exhaustive investigation.