2010 Manila hostage crisis victim's kin scores 'little progress' in case

A relative of a fatality in the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy scored Thursday night what they called "little progress" in the case, and will insist on an apology from Manila.

 

Tse Chi-hang made the assessment after meeting with Hong Kong officials Thursday night, according to a report on Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) on Friday.

 

He was quoted in the report as saying they will continue to press their demands, including a formal apology, with the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong.

 

Tse, the brother of one of the eight Hong Kong tourists killed in the 2010 incident, also said the Hong Kong central government promised to follow up their case "through different channels."

 

According to the RTHK report, Tse and three of the survivors held talks Thursday evening for about 30 minutes with Edward Yau, director of the Chief Executive's Office, and Security Secretary Lai Tung-kwok.

 

Following the meeting, Tse said there had been little progress over their case since Financial Secretary John Tsang spoke to Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vladivostok, Russia.

 

On Aug. 23, 2010, a dismissed policeman took hostage the passengers of a tourist bus in Manila, in a bid to be reinstated to the police force.

 

But the policeman was killed along with eight of the hostages from Hong Kong in a botched rescue attempt.

 

The incident prompted Hong Kong to issue a black travel warning on the Philippines, discouraging residents from visiting the Philippines.

 

The black travel warning remains in effect to date.

 

A DFA news release last week said del Rosario met with Tsang at the sidelines of the APEC summit where del Rosario said the Philippines wants to move forward in its relations with Hong Kong after the bloody 2010 incident.

 

"Secretary del Rosario updated Secretary Tsang on the efforts that the Philippine Government has undertaken since the 23 August 2010 tragedy. He affirmed that the Philippines would like to move forward with its relations with Hong Kong SAR," the DFA said.

 

The DFA did not give further details about the meeting but said it was "a fruitful discussion."

 

"Both sides acknowledged the importance of the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Hong Kong SAR," it added. –KG, GMA News