No approval for flag on hostage-taker's coffin

MANILA - The draping of the Philippine flag over the coffin of dismissed police captain-turned-hostage taker Rolando Mendoza had no government approval, the Philippines Presidential Palace said on Friday.

Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ramon Carandang said the draping of the flag was an act of Mendoza's family and it had no approval from the government.

He agreed it was not proper, and said the presidential palace was upset by the incident.