MANILA, Philippines ? Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Verzosa expressed regret Friday for the non-usage of the elite Special Action Force unit during the hostage crisis last August 23, saying the SAF was well-equipped to respond to the crisis.

But Verzosa, who is set to retire on September 14, said he respected the decision of then ground commander, former Manila Police District commander Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, not to use SAF.

In his last appearance before SAF personnel at Taguig City, Verzosa said, "We were there [at Quirino Grandstand], but the decision of the ground commander is to utilize the SWAT [Special Weapons and Tactics] units of the MPD. That is the decision of the ground commander and we have to respect him."

Verzosa, who was once a member of SAF in his younger days, said that although there was regret and "frustration," he said there were several variables that should be looked at during the August 23 carnage, where eight Hong Kong tourists were killed.

"On the one hand there's regret because they have more capability and training, but you will also note what could have happened if the negotiations were successful. You should also consider the judgment call of the ground commander, so there are other variables to be considered," Verzosa told reporters.

An emotional Verzosa bade farewell to SAF troops at Camp Bagong Diwa, as he donned the fatigue uniform of SAF for the last time.

He said that he entered and left the service in "tumultuous times," as he recalled his fist deployment in Maguindanao.

"The first day in 1976 was when we were flown from Manila to Maguindanao on board a Philippine Air Force Fokker plane and we were surprised that we were not permitted to land immediately because around Awang Airport there was an ongoing encounter between troops just around the airport. I don't know if that was an indication of a turbulent career that I will be treading for the next 38 years," Verzosa narrated.

And Verzosa said that he would be ending his career in the midst of the investigation into the bungled hostage rescue.

Despite these incidents, Verzosa said he wanted to be remembered as someone who "desired to develop the PNP to make it a more capable institution."

He also advised his men not to be affected by the crisis, saying it was normal in the career of an officer to encounter challenges.

?I have always said, it must always be the institution above self. So whatever mistakes that have happened, if we have colleagues whose shortcomings we have seen, we should not lose our initiative, our force,? Verzosa told troops.

He pointed to the need to continue ?whatever it is we are doing? so that ?our colleagues won?t be affected, especially our work as policemen in the Philippines.?

As to the hostage crisis, Verzosa said, "I can say that nobody wanted to harm the victims. I think it's unfortunate that some things along the way. But we have to cooperate, we have to cooperate with the investigation, we have to join the other agencies in the conduct of investigation not only to look at the lapses that were committed but also to look at points of improvement and development so that we can prevent such things to happen in the future."