China
Manila pledges safety after hostage standoff killings
By Timothy Chui and Ma Liyao (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-17 09:02
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Condolences and reparations also promised by Philippines
HONG KONG - Senior Filipino government officials on Thursday pledged compensations for victims in the Manila hostage crisis and promised more safeguards to protect tourists in the future.
Philippine Tourism Minister Alberto Lim also paid his personal condolences to families struck by the tragedy at a press conference held at the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong after meeting with Donald Tsang, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee.
Lim promised that those responsible for the debacle would be brought to justice, saying that his government would extend every courtesy, within the framework of a mutual legal assistance agreement, to assist the scheduled 25-day inquest into the deaths of eight Hong Kong citizens in the Manila tragedy.
The inquest will be held in February.
Institutional reforms have been started, including the formation of a special 185-strong national police tourist team, which will patrol Manila and 13 priority tourist areas to provide security for travelers, Lim said.
The national police will also deploy a special highway task force to improve safety on roads and buses, while drivers and tour guides will receive additional training.
In the face of revelations of official bungling during an initial Filipino investigation, a new crisis coordination center has been set up to manage future emergencies.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday at a regular conference that the central government has been paying attention to the handling of the aftermath of the hostage incident, and stayed in communication with the SAR government and the Philippine side.
"We hope and believe that the Philippine government continues to take effective measures to properly handle the aftermath of the incident," Jiang said.
A former Filipino policeman named Rolando Mendoza seized a tour bus carrying 21 vacationing Hong Kong tourists as hostages in Manila on Aug 23, demanding the authorities to reinstate him as a senior police officer.
Eight Hong Kong citizens were shot dead and seven others were wounded in the firefight after the failure of negotiations. Mendoza was also gunned down on the spot.
The investigation showed that the killer was dismissed after planting false evidence and attempting to extort money from a prisoner.
A second report outlining additional remedies is due to be completed and will be forwarded soon.
Criminal charges were filed against only one person in connection with the incident - Mendoza's brother.
Gregorio Mendoza - also a police officer - went to the scene of the crisis and interfered in negotiations and was heard urging his brother not to surrender.
Philippine authorities have filed administrative charges against five ranking police officers.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is under internal investigation but remains in office.
Futile and unprofessional efforts during the Manila police raid were broadcast live around the world and had triggered widespread anger among the Chinese public. Lim's visit to Hong Kong is considered an effort to repair the strained relations.
The Filipino Tourism Secretary said his government was prepared to offer tokens of solidarity with the victims and the families of victims. That will take the form of monetary compensation and "in-kind" compensation.
Referring to Hong Kong's continued "black travel" warning on travel to the Philippines, Lim's visit was a "goodwill mission", according to a press release. He denied that he had asked the administration to lift the travel warning.
The black travel advisory had reduced the number of Hong Kong visitors by one-third - or 50,000 visitors - this year, Lim said.
China Daily