Philippines hopes to delink hostage issue from other aspects of bilateral relations

The Philippines hopes to delink the Hong Kong hostage crisis from other aspects of the relations between the Philippines and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. On a proposal raised by a Hong Kong lawmaker to withdraw visa- free access for Filipino visitors, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Monday that it is monitoring the issue closely through the Philippine consulate general in Hong Kong. "We look forward to the speedy resolution of the issues arising from Aug. 23 so that our relations with Hong Kong can fully develop," it said. "Both Hong Kong and the Philippines are attractive tourist destinations for Filipinos and Hong Kong residents, respectively. We look forward to the continued healthy exchange of travelers from both sides," the DFA said. According to the DFA, around 180,000 Filipinos work and live in Hong Kong. On Aug. 23, 2010, a dismissed Philippine police officer took a busload of tourists hostage in central Manila to demand his reinstatement in the police force. A botched police rescue attempt prompted him to open fire on his hostages before he was himself gunned down. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed along with their hostage-taker. Even though three years has passed, the Philippine government still refused apologize for the victims. Last month, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said he would travel to Hong Kong to formally apologize over the death of eight Hong Kong tourists in the 2010 hostage crisis.