The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) started gathering evidence from the site of the bloody hostage that claimed the lives of seven hostages as well as the hostage-taker.
 
This developed as the Foreign Liaison Division (FLD) headed by lawyer Claro de Castro Jr. awaits official directive regarding the participation of the NBI in the repatriation of the bodies of Chinese nationals and Hong Kong residents.
 
Special Investigation (SI) IV Cecilio Zamora, bureau spokesman, said bureau operatives and investigators personnel from the Death Investigation Division (DID) under lawyer Romulo Z. Asis and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) under Head Agent Rosauro D. Bautista, were deployed to the site of hostage at the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park, Manila on Monday to conduct initial probe.
 
Zamora said no body has so far been brought to the NBI for autopsy. “The bodies were brought by the PNP Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO),” he said.
 
Reliable sources revealed the bureau started gathering evidence which would form part in the intensive investigation. Among those taken from the scene include photos and videos.  Interviews were already conducted on several persons at the site.
 
The NBI’s probe is being conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP). The probe will focus on what really transpired during the entire hostage drama. “Every material details matter. We have to get a clearer picture of what really happened. Did the tourists die from bullets of the hostage-taker alone or they were also caught by the crossfire,” the source said.
 
Former fellow police officers of hostage-taker dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza were surprised about his act as they said he was a good and very calm person.
 
His brother, Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Mendoza, was charged by the Manila Police District for conspiracy to commit illegal detention.

The MPD said Gregorio could have allegedly “agitated" his brother, to fire his M-16 rifle at the hostages. The policemen assaulted the bus after the bus driver escaped and informed police that the hostage-taker began shooting at hostages.