China to PHL: Pay attention to concerns of families of Manila bus hostage victims

China has called on the Philippines anew to address the concerns of the families of the victims of the botched Manila hostage crisis that killed eight Hong Kong tourists in 2010.

 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying, in a statement from Beijing on October 7, said Manila should take concrete steps to resolve the issue that has angered Hong Kong nationals and government officials.

 

“The Chinese government's position on the Hong Kong hostage crisis is consistent and clear. We urge the Philippine government to pay high attention to the requirements and concerns of the families of the victims, take concrete and effective measures and work out a proper solution as soon as possible,” Hua said.

     

Beiing’s statement came after nine Hong Kong journalists were kicked out of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bali, Indonesia for shouting questions at President Benigno S. Aquino III, who attended the regional gathering this week, along with leaders from China and Hong Kong. 

 

As Aquino entered the meeting venue on Sunday, journalists asked Aquino if he would meet with Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying (C.Y. Leung) and if he would apologize to the families of the victims. 

 

Aquino declined to respond to the barrage of questions, prompting one reporter to shout: “So, you’re ignoring the Hong Kong people, right?”

 

On Monday, Aquino indeed met with HK Chief Executive C.Y. Leung to express his regret for the 2010 Manila hostage crisis but maintained that the Philippines will not apologize for the actions of a single individual. 

 

Aquino told reporters at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel in Bali, Indonesia that he explained to the Hong Kong official that in Filipino culture, we only apologize when we "admit that we are at fault as a country, as a government, and as a people." 

 

Aquino said he told Leung, “From our perspective, there is one lone gunman responsible for this tragedy." 

 

Relations between the Philippines and China and Hong Kong were strained because of the incident, which started when a retired policeman held hostage a busload of tourists from Hong Kong.

 

The hostage-taker shot to death eight hostages inside the bus before police snipers killed him.

 

In August, survivors and families of those killed in the hostage crisis sued the Philippine government to demand an apology and compensation. 

 

China says it supports Hong Kong, a special Chinese administrative region, “in staying in close communication and coordination with the Philippine government on this issue.”

 

“The Chinese side has conveyed to the Philippine side the above position through the diplomatic channel,” Hua said. —KG, GMA News