MANILA, Philippines -- Police raised the possibility Friday that charges might not be filed at all against bodyguards of Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group chief Antonio "Bebot" Villar accused of mauling a businessman in a Makati hotel Tuesday.

Superintendent Manuel Santos, chief of the Makati police investigation division, said the case would not prosper against the suspects unless the victim, Simon Paz, presses charges.

"Their lawyer said she is not sure if Simon Paz will file charges," Santos said in an interview. "She just told us to prepare what we're supposed to prepare. It seems that they have not made up their mind. It's still possible that they could settle this out of court."

Police have yet to identify the suspects who beat up Paz, 44, in the lobby of Dusit Hotel at midnight, leading to his hospitalization for injuries that caused him temporary memory loss.

Makati police chief, Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, said they are securing photos of Villar’s escorts from the Police Security and Protection Office.

Santos said witnesses, including hotel guards, will be asked to identify the suspects from the photos.

"Then if they are able to identify the suspects positively, only then will the suspects' names be given," Santos said.

Previously, Virgilio Bruno, legal counsel of PAGC, told Cruz that Villar's bodyguards would only appear before the police once formal charges are filed against them.