PHL plans aid for families of bus hostage crisis

HONG KONG — The Philippines plans to aid families hurt by the hostage-taking of Hong Kong tourists in Manila in which eight of them were killed, the nation's tourism chief said Thursday on a visit to the Chinese territory. Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said the first portion would be cash and a second could come in the form of scholarships or health care assistance. He said details of the "token of solidarity" are still being discussed with the families. He did not give more details, including who was eligible for the assistance. Eight Hong Kong residents were killed, seven people were wounded and nine were released safely early in the standoff. Those wounded or unharmed included relatives of some of the dead. Lim spoke after visiting Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang to update him on action taken by the Philippine government since the Aug. 23 hostage-taking. Philippine authorities were widely criticized as botching their response when an armed ex-policeman took hostages on a passenger bus in Manila. The drama lasted 11 hours and played out live on television, ending with the gunman shooting the captives and a SWAT team killing him. Ties between Manila and Hong Kong were strained, residents of the low-crime Chinese territory were shocked and thousands of tourists canceled bookings in Philippine resorts. Lim said he hoped Hong Kong would lift a "black" travel advisory warning residents to avoid all travel to the Philippines because of a severe threat. It is the only country so designated. He also pledged the Philippines' cooperation with an inquest to be held in Hong Kong in February into the deaths. — AP