MANILA, Philippines ? A civil society group expressed its support for embattled Interior and Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo on Thursday, amid calls for his resignation over the botched hostage rescue operations last week.

A statement issued by the Kaya Natin! (We Can!) Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership said statements made by President Benigno Aquino III has cleared Robredo of any blame for the bungled rescue.

Robredo is a member of Kaya Natin!

?In Aquino?s statement, which was published in several major newspapers, he clearly said that he had made a previous arrangement for Secretary Robredo to focus on local government matters and designated Undersecretary Rico Puno to be more directly in charge of the PNP [Philippine National Police], thus it was Puno and not Robredo whom Aquino said was partly to blame for the botched response of the PNP,? the group said.

The group said it was supporting Aquino?s moves to organize a committee headed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Robredo, to investigate the hostage crisis.

Robredo?s resignation would be premature at this point, the group said. ?We believe that persistent calls made by some of our government leaders for Robredo to resign from his position and/or to inhibit himself from the on-going investigation are unjustifiable and baseless.?

They also urged other government officials ?to set aside politics for the meantime as we try to move forward with the investigation to find out what really transpired during the hostage crisis.?

?We believe that a swift, fair and impartial investigation on this matter will help restore the credibility of our nation?s government in the eyes of the international community.?

Kaya Natin! also urged Aquino to ?act decisively towards giving the appropriate punishment to government leaders who are found to have neglected their duties and responsibilities during the hostage crisis. By doing so, our government can send a clear and strong message to our countrymen and the international community that justice will be served to those who failed to perform their duties regardless of influence or position.?

The statement was signed by Kaya Natin! Members including former Pampanga governor Father Eddie Panlilio, former Isabela governor Grace Pacada, Senator Teofisto Guingona III, and former Bukidnon Representative Neric Acosta.

According to its website, Kaya Natin! Kaya Natin! is a movement composed of ?good Filipinos from different sectors of society that aim to espouse genuine change and ethical leadership in our country.?

It started in 2008 with informal meetings with Harvey Keh of the Ateneo de Manila University School of Government, Padaca, Panlilio and Robredo, who was then the mayor of Naga City.