Malacañang today vowed for a fair and thorough investigation on the tragic hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand last week which left eight Chinese nationals dead.

In a media briefing Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Hermino “Sonny” Coloma said the objective of the investigation is to seek the truth and put closure on the unfortunate incident that will enable the country to move on.

Coloma said that that the parties and individuals responsible for the incident and the subsequent botched rescue will be held accountable.

“Our ultimate objective is to bring about a comprehensive report that will answer all of the questions pertaining to the hostage incident last week” he said.

Coloma pointed out that a fair investigation on the part of the Philippine government will pave the way towards rebuilding the relationship between the Chinese and the Filipinos which was strained because of the bloody incident.

He assured that the members of the panel tasked to investigate the hostage incident are well respected individuals who have the credentials and qualifications to do the job.

Earlier President Benigno Aquino III vowed that justice will be served to those who will be found accountable.

President Aquino last week tasked justice secretary Lela de Lima to chair the Incident Review Committee (IRC) body.

Meanwhile Coloma said that the Palace is studying the possibility of giving “assistance” or solidarity fund to the injured and the families left behind by the victims on last week’s hostage incident.