HK tourism may rise, Tsang hopes

Four months after eight Hong Kong tourists were killed in the August 23 Manila bus hostage crisis, chief executive Donald Tsang said he is hopeful that interest in the Philippines as a travel destination will begin to rise again among residents of that special Chinese territory. The Hong Kong official expressed these hopes when he met with Philippine tourism secretary Alberto Lim in his office Thursday to discuss updates regarding the criminal and administrative proceedings being pursued against officials liable for the bungled rescue attempt, as well as the other steps being taken to improve the future handling of hostage taking and other crises. While Tsang expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts to improve the security in Philippine tourist destinations, he reiterated his government's "concern for the welfare of the families who lost loved ones during the tragedy or whose members suffered severe injuries." "The search for justice [is] a common goal of both sides [Hong Kong and the Philippines]," Tsang said. Secretary Lim was on a goodwill mission to assure Hong Kong that the Philippine government is taking steps to secure tourists. Lim: Tourists are safe in PHL Reiterating the Philippine government's concern for the families of the victims of the hostage tragedy, Lim also recounted the steps his department is undertaking to secure tourist spots and ensure the safety of tourists. "As head of the tourism department, it is my responsibility to help ensure that the country has a conducive and safe environment for foreign visitors," he explained. He said that his department has taken steps to "more assiduously" safeguard tourists and ensure that “such a tragedy will not happen again." (See: DOT teams up with cops to protect tourists) The government, through the tourism department, has deployed police officers in top tourism destinations in Manila and several provinces such as Bohol, Davao and Boracay. Lim also assured the Hong Kong official that Philippine law enforcement agencies are now being reformed and steps are being taken to raise law enforcers’ crisis management abilities. Lim also briefed the Hong Kong executive over the status of the administrative and criminal charges filed against police and local government officials identified as liable for the fiasco, in a report made by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC). The IIRC also recommended changes in the plans and procedures of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies, based on a review of these and a detailed audit and inventory of the training and equipment of these groups. He also vowed that Philippine authorities would also cooperate with Hong Kong’s Coroner’s Court as the latter undertakes proceedings to investigate the hostage taking in February 2011. During his visit, the tourism secretary was also able to address the Hong Kong people in a press briefing. “No amount of words will ever be enough to ease the pain and repair the shattered lives of the families of the eight people who died," he said. "The taking of innocent people as hostages and (inflicting) senseless violence (on them) can never ever be justified," he added. "The Philippines values its close friendship with the people of Hong Kong. This friendship was forged many years ago, and is founded on deep historical ties and strong people-to-people links," Lim said. "On the basis of this long-standing friendship, I hope that the goodwill we have enjoyed for so many years will continue on," he added. Beijing, HK dismayed On the morning of August 23, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza, distressed over the loss of his job, hijacked a tourist bus near the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. The bus was carrying 25 people, including 20 tourists from Hong Kong. At the end of the 11-hour hostage drama, eight tourists and the hostage-taker himself were killed. In months following the hostage-taking, Aquino displeased Hong Kong authorities when he brushed aside the IIRC’s recommendations. The IIRC, headed by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, recommended the filing of criminal cases against more than 10 persons — including police and government officials as well as media persons and institutions — for the botched handling of the crisis. Police officers Director Leocadio Santiago, Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, Superintendent Orlando Yebra and Chief Inspector Santiago Pascual, as well as Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, former Police Chief Jesus Versoza, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno, were on the list. However, Aquino only ordered the filing of administrative charges against four police officials, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III. Only the hostage-taker's brother, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, was identified as criminally liable for illegal possession of firearms and serious illegal detention. The President decided not to pursue charges against his longtime friend, Interior Secretary Rico Puno, as well as Verzosa, Moreno, broadcasters Michael Rogas and Erwin Tulfo, and broadcast stations ABS-CBN, GMA and TV 5. In the following months, Aquino had tried to meet with Chinese officials on the sidelines of international trips, including a trip to Vietnam for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2010 summit. However, the Chinese government had reportedly snubbed all three requests. Late in November, Chinese officials also declined to receive a Philippine delegation led by Vice President Jejomar Binay and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo to discuss the hostage tragedy that killed eight Hong Kong tourists. — DM/TJD/ACC/JV, GMANews.TV