MANILA, Philippines -- Local and foreign media were kept outside the warehouse where authorities stored the Hong Thai tourist bus that figured in the tragic hostage-taking last Aug. 23, as Hong Kong police investigators began their parallel examination of the crime scene on Monday.

National Bureau of Investigation Director Magtanggol Gatdula turned down requests for an interview, explaining that he was following the gag order imposed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on all investigators including the Philippine National Police.

Officials from Hong Kong also declined to issue any comment, with one of them saying their investigators would probably be staying until midnight, Monday, at the warehouse as they analyzed what they saw in the crime scene.

Media began their stakeout around 11 a.m. at the gates of the warehouse after sentries were instructed to keep the press outside.

Hong Kong officials arrived past noon and foreign media seemingly blocked their path in hopes of getting an interview before they began their investigation.

But as authorities entered the warehouse gate, foreign media followed them inside the compound, pushing the gate aside as police sentries attempted to ward them away. The police eventually allowed all members of the media inside the compound, but doors to the main warehouse where the bus was remained closed.

Hong Kong police investigators had to wait outside because foreign media insisted that they be given access inside the warehouse and take photos of the Chinese authorities while they conducted their probe.

Foreign investigators were later whisked to the warehouse past 1 p.m. after a police official from the PNP crime laboratory explained to them that the NBI was in the process of wrapping up their investigation.

Minutes later, Gatdula arrived and proceeded straight to the warehouse. He went outside in one instance, telling local reporters he could not speak about the investigation after De Lima?s gag order. The NBI is an attached agency of the justice department.

Albert Man Tat Shing, superintendent of the Hong Kong police force for organized crime and triad committee, spoke briefly before the Chinese press. A member of the Hong Kong press covering the story said the official also declined to comment about their ongoing investigation, adding that investigators might stay until midnight to complete their analysis.

Authorities eventually allowed select media personnel to take photos and footage inside the warehouse as Hong Kong investigators conducted their inspection of the bus. Philippine police asked for representatives from the Hong Kong press, local and foreign media to shoot photos and videos for five minutes.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer was able to take a look at the video courtesy of the government-run IBC-13 whose cameraman was among the personnel allowed to enter the warehouse.

Garbed in their plastic suits that covered all parts of their bodies, Hong Kong investigators combed through the bus, inspecting every nook and cranny of the ill-fated vehicle that carried 25 of their nationals during the hostage taking incident last week. Strings of yellow yarn were strewn from the window panels, which simulated where the bullets came from.

One of the investigators was seen entering the bus through one of the window panels that had been shattered by gunfire. He used a ladder to go up to the bus.