Victims' kin, survivors in Manila hostage crisis turn to Chinese president for justice

Survivors and relatives of those killed in last year's Manila hostage tragedy are turning to Chinese President Hu Jintao to help them fight for justice. They are asking Hu to take up the matter with President Benigno Aquino III when he visits China, Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reported over the weekend. Aquino is to leave for Beijing August 30 for a state visit that ends September 3. The RTHK report said the victims' kin and survivors launched an online signature campaign calling for Hu's help. As of 8 a.m. Sunday, the petition already had 5,822 signatures. It said the brothers of the slain tour guide, Tse Chi-hang, were angry that Aquino had refused to apologize over the tragedy. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed along with their hostage-taker, dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, on Aug. 23, 2010. Mendoza had taken the busload of tourists hostage to demand his reinstatement in the police force. The incident caused Hong Kong to impose a "black" travel alert on the Philippines, which is still in effect. — LBG, GMA News