Palace ‘hoping’ HK will downgrade travel alert on PHL

As the first anniversary of the Manila hostage tragedy draws near, Malacañang on Saturday reiterated its hopes Hong Kong will downgrade its “black" travel alert on the Philippines. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it is now up to Hong Kong authorities to determine if there is still a grave threat to visitors to the Philippines. “While we hope there will be a downgrade, hanggang ganoon na lang ang ating pwedeng masabi sa ngayon," she said on government-run dzRB radio. She said it was not fair for the Philippines to be lumped with Syria – which is experiencing violence in many areas – as the only countries in Hong Kong’s “black" list. Valte said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda already talked about the Philippine government’s efforts to address the shortcomings that led to last year’s botched rescue operation. “Sana naman makita nila yung pagkakaiba ng sitwasyon sa ibang naisasama yung ibang kasama sa listahan sa black travel alert nila," she said. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed along with their hostage taker, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, in the Aug. 23, 2010 hostage incident. Mendoza took a busload of tourists hostage to demand his reinstatement in the police force. But a botched rescue attempt by police prompted him to shoot his hostages. Almost immediately after the crisis ended, Hong Kong placed the Philippines in the “black" level of its three-level Outbound Travel Alert system. “Serious hostage-taking incident happened in Manila on 23 August 2010, residents should avoid all travel to the country; those who are already there should attend to personal safety and exercise caution," Hong Kong’s Security Bureau said in its notice, which is still in effect as of Saturday afternoon. “Black" indicates a “severe threat" and only the Philippines and Syria are in that level at this time in the HK security bureau. “Red," the second level, indicates a “significant threat" and advises Hong Kong travelers to adjust travel plans and avoid non-essential travel. The third level, “yellow," indicates “signs of threat" and advises travelers to monitor the situation and exercise caution. — LBG, GMA News