President Benigno S. Aquino III is pleased with the lifting of sanctions imposed by Hong Kong in connection with the 2010 hostage incident in Rizal Park, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement Wednesday.
Coloma told Palace reporters that he has just talked with Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras who made a confirmation about the lifting of sanctions and normalizing relations between the Philippines and Hong Kong.
Almendras is the national government’s representative to Hong Kong to resolve the issue.
“We join the Department of Foreign Affairs in acknowledging the statement of Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung on the complete and final resolution of the Quirino Grandstand incident of 23 August 2010 and the lifting of the sanctions,” Coloma said.
Quoting Almendras, Coloma said Leung has issued a separate statement in which he thanked President Aquino and the Philippine government on the development.
“I have conveyed to the President the report of Secretary Almendras and he expressed satisfaction that final closure and a mutually satisfactory conclusion has been reached,” he added.
The Palace official also thanked former president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada for his initiative and contribution to the national government’s efforts to mend relations with Hong Kong.
Almendras will make a comprehensive briefing on the recent development on Thursday, Coloma said.
It was reported earlier that the two governments agreed that Hong Kong’s four demands have been resolved.
Among the demands include apology to the victims’ families, compensation, sanctions against responsible officials and individuals, and improved tourist safety.
Almendras, Mayor Estrada, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima were reported to have left for Hong Kong to tackle the issue. (PCOO)
