Joseph Estrada, mayor of Manila, tends to earpiece problems at a news conference in Hong Kong on Wednesday. Hong Kong and the Philippines have reached a consensus over a diplomatic row arising from a 2010 hijack incident. [Photo by EDMOND TANG/CHINA DAILY]
The Hong Kong government revoked sanctions against the Philippines on Wednesday after both sides reached consensus over a diplomatic row that has simmered since eight people from Hong Kong died after a tour bus was hijacked in Manila in 2010.
The agreement was reached by survivors, victims' family members and officials.
"The Philippine Government expresses its most sorrowful regret and profound sympathy, and extends its most sincere condolences for the pain and suffering of the victims and their families," a joint statement by the Hong Kong and Philippine governments read.
The statement came a day after Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada arrived in Hong Kong seeking to apologize to the families of the eight victims and the 13 survivors.
The attempt to free hostages on the tour bus ended tragically after the vehicle had been hijacked by a disgruntled former policeman.
Estrada dismissed views that the "sorrowful regret and profound sympathy" expressed in the statement did not amount to a true apology, arguing that the remark was "the same" as saying sorry.
He stressed that the statement reflected the views of his city, the national government and people of the Philippines, in response to criticism over a lack of contrition by Manila.
The brother of a Hong Kong tour guide killed in the incident, Tse Chi-kin, said it was not the ideal response he expected, but it was time to bring the matter to a close after three years and eight months.
Philippine Cabinet Secretary Jose Almendras said letters of apology had been sent by the national police chief in the Philippines. It took so long to reach consensus, as they were dealing with several aggrieved parties with different "postures and conventions".
Almendras stressed that Philippine President Benigno Aquino had played "a very important role in keeping the Filipino position on an even keel" and that the president had told him the "first thing we need to do is something for the families".
Almendras did not confirm whether the compensation package was HK$20 million ($2.57 million) as previously reported by Filipino media, adding that he preferred not to view the payments as compensation but rather as "an act of unity".
Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told the media after meeting Estrada on Tuesday: "With the final resolution of the incident, I sincerely hope the deceased may rest in peace and the injured and their families can move on with courage and strength. I also believe the relations between the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines will start a new chapter."
Leung announced that a "black" outbound travel alert against the Philippines, in place since February as part of a package of sanctions, will revert to "amber" status, the level of alert before the hostage incident, while visa-free entry for Filipino officials has been reinstated.
He said the two sides had been working tirelessly for six months toward a resolution, but added there had been "twists and turns".
Philippines expresses regret over 2010 Manila hostage crisis
The Philippine government expressed its most sorrowful regret and profound sympathy, and extended its most sincere condolences for the pain and suffering of the victims and their families in the bus hostage crisis that happened in Manila in August 2010, according to a joint statement issued by the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Philippine government on Wednesday.
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR C Y Leung and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III made a mutually satisfactory conclusion to the crisis, and both governments have agreed with the four demands of the victims and their families for apology, compensation, sanctions against responsible officials and individuals, and improving tourist safety measures, according to the statement. >>>More
Philippine gov't welcomes closure of hostage crisis
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III expressed satisfaction on Wednesday that "final closure and a mutually satisfactory" conclusion has been reached between Manila and Hong Kong over the 2010 hostage crisis, a senior Philippine government official said Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said both Malacanang , the presidential palace, and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also look forward to working with the Hong Kong government in "turning a new page in bilateral relations."
The DFA said it welcomed the statement made by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive CY Leung on the complete and final resolution of the Quirino Grandstand Incident and the lifting of sanctions. >>>More
China urges Philippines to find hostage solution: FM
China will continue to urge the Philippines to find a solution to the 2010 Manila hostage crisis which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
Qin Gang was commenting after the mayor of Manila arrived in Hong Kong to apologize for the crisis.
He said at a daily press briefing that the Chinese central government has urged the Philippines to respond to the reasonable and legal demands of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s government and family members of the victims, and properly solve the crisis at an early date. >>>More
HK's Philippines sanction gets Beijing backing
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Wednesday said the central government backs Hong Kong's handling of the aftermath of a hostage tragedy in the Philippines three years ago.
Hua's comments came after the Hong Kong government declared sanctions against the Philippines due to Manila's failure to make official apology and meet the demands of the families of the victims.
Hong Kong's Chief Executive CY Leung on Wednesday announced that from February 5 14-day visa-free stays for holders of Philippine diplomatic and service passports will be suspended.
Replying to a reporter's question, Hua said the Chinese government urges the Philippines to respect the concerns of the injured and families of the victims and solve the matter as soon as possible.
A dismissed local police officer, Rolando Mendoza, hijacked a tourist bus carrying 25 people in Manila on August 23, 2010. Mendoza and eight Hong Kong tourists were killed, with another seven injured.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has consistently refused to make an open apology.
