MANILA, Philippines?President Benigno Aquino may have claimed responsibility for the bungled rescue of eight Hong Kong tourists on Aug. 23 but he will not resign, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma said Friday.

Coloma also said Mr. Aquino?s remark did not mean the officials involved in the failed hostage rescue had been cleared of accountability.

?He will not resign because he received a clear mandate ... from more than 15 million Filipinos and he will serve this mandate,? Coloma said over state-run radio dzRB. ?He will complete the six-year term as President.?

Coloma pointed out that the inquiry into the hostage-taking continued to be relevant despite Mr. Aquino?s decision to take the blame:

?The other officials have not been absolved. The President is simply emphasizing that he is accountable to the people that elected him. That?s the context of [his] statement [claiming all responsibility].?

Coloma also indicated that there would be no new apology from the Philippine government to Hong Kong for the tragedy because ?President Aquino has apologized and this has been acknowledged by Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang.?

?I personally saw the statement of Chief Executive Tsang. This was a video clip wherein he acknowledged that President Aquino called him up, offered apologies, and that he accepted the apology,? Coloma said.

Clarifying news reports that Mr. Aquino was taking over the reins of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Coloma said: ?The President has the power of control and supervision over all departments and agencies in the executive branch, including the PNP.

?He is not bypassing or overriding the powers of the National Police Commission. When he said he is taking control of the PNP, it is within this context of the exercise of his Chief Executive powers.?