by magnolia_eic | Aug 26, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines — Most of the survivors of Monday’s tragic hostage drama returned home to Hong Kong along with the remains of the eight slain tourists yesterday.
The victims’ kin, and some Hong Kong Government officials who arrived in Manila after the incident have also left the country.
A simple send-off ceremony was held at the tarmac of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport(NAIA). Among those who attended were Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman.
The RP government has provided full assistance to the victims and their families, and has extended deep condolences to the government and to the people of Hong Kong. Flags of the Armed Forces of the Philippines flew the flag at half mast inside all military camps to express their deep sympathy.
Click here for full article from Philippine Star
by magnolia_eic | Aug 24, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Hong Kong — The Hong Kong government has issued a statement saying they were “very disappointed” with the outcome of the hostage siege in Manila which left some seven Hong Kong tourists dead.
The city’ Chief Executive Donald Tsang told a press briefing that, “The outcome is very disappointing. It is a tragedy because a pleasure trip has ended up with casualties and injuries.”
As of press time, Tsang says he has not yet reached President Aquino to confirm pertinent information. He demanded that the Filipino authorities provide full account of the deadly incident to the Hong Kong government.
“We have to get the information from the authorities there. Until now I still cannot have a full grasp of the situation. The numbers (of casualties and injured) keep changing.”
Click here for articles from Inquirer.net
by magnolia_eic | Aug 23, 2010 | Headlines, National News
Manila, Philippines — A hostage-taking crisis in the capital of the Philippines has ended with six of the bus passengers dead after an exchange of gunshots between the hostage taker and the police. Sources confirmed that the hostage taker has also died due to a gunshot in the head.
The Manila Doctors Hopsital has reported receiving four dead and one woman in critical condition.
The incident started when a dismissed policeman armed with an M16 rifle seized the busload of Hong Kong tourists along the Quirino grandstand to demand his reinstatement in the force.
The driver who escaped moments before police surrounded the bus said the hostage-taker, identified as former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, 55, opened fire at the tourists.
Mendoza earlier released nine (9) hostages — leaving the 15 inside the bus, while demanding his job back to free the rest.
Shortly after the end of the hostage crisis, Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno was interviewed by CNN. He cited that the demands of the Mendoza included his motion for reconsideration on the case filed against him which caused him to lose his job. When asked by the news anchor whether he was willing to reinstate Mendoza, Moreno reiterated that the demands of the hostage taker was not just about the job, but of the re-opening of his case.
CNN also asked what made the SWAT team decide to surround the bus and exchange gunshots with the hostage taker, Moreno answered by saying when he came back to the area, he was already bringing the letter from the Ombudsman saying that his case will be re-opened. However, upon approaching the hostage taker together with his brother in order to show the letter, Mendoza’s brother suddenly shouted provoking words which further agitated the situation resulting to the exchange of gunshots between the police and the hostage taker.
The Manila Vice-mayor added that such events do not mean that Manila is no longer a safe place to travel. Saying further that these things happen in many other countries and that the police have done what they could. He could have only hoped that no one would be hurt, however, the hostage taker really wanted to make a statement by firing his M16.
Tweets from ABS-CBN and facebook posts have revealed that Hong Kong Outbound Travel Advisory has declared Philippines as a severe threat and all residents must avoid travel bound for Philippines.
