After hostage crisis, Caritas offers counseling for HK residents

Catholic social workers in Hong Kong have set up telephone hotlines to offer trauma counselling for residents who felt disturbed over Monday's deadly hostage crisis in Manila. The Union of Catholic Asian News reported on Thursday that the news about Monday's hostage-taking incident had left many Hong Kong residents distraught. On August 23, in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus carrying 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos. After an 11-hour bloody drama, nine people died — Mendoza and eight tourists. Mendoza also demanded his reinstatement in the police force during the 11-hour hostage drama, covered live by international media outlets. “We’ve been receiving calls from people seeking help due to sadness, anxiety, anger and even hatred," said Julitta Leung, a Caritas social worker, on UCAN's website. “News coverage can be overwhelming these days and some people can feel disturbed by it, especially people with emotional or mental problems," she added. “Some people told me the scenes still linger in their minds. Others are now worried that they might face a similar situation in their future travels," said Leung. “I tell them it’s normal to have temporary worries and they usually subside in time. I also suggest to them that they avoid watching or reading the media reports," she added. On the other hand, Hong Kong residents who have Philippine domestic helpers said they now feel uncomfortable in their presence. “I tell them the Filipina helpers also feel sad about it and the way their country has handled the crisis," Leung said. Along with the hotline service, Caritas will hold a talk on emotional health on August 29, to help restore people to a positive frame of mind. The Hong Kong diocese and the Consulate General of the Philippines are also jointly organizing prayer vigils and Masses to mourn those who died. –VVP, GMANews.TV