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Chief Executive Donald Tsang (right) shakes hands with visiting Philippine Secretary of Tourism Alberto Lim before their meeting in Hong Kong Thursday. Lim offered personal condolences to families struck by the Manila hostage crisis on August 23 and promised that those responsible for the debacle will be brought to justice. Gis Photo

Manila promises compensation to victims' families

A senior Philippine government official flew to Hong Kong Thursday to offer personal condolences to families struck by the Manila Hostage Crisis on August 23. Philippine Secretary of Tourism Alberto Lim brought with him a pledge for more safeguards to protect tourists.

He also promised that those responsible for the debacle will be brought to justice. The families of victims will be compensated, he said.

Meeting with Chief Executive Donald Tsang and Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee, Lim said his government would extend every courtesy, within the framework of a mutual legal assistance agreement, to assist the scheduled 25-day inquest into the deaths of eight Hong Kong citizens during the Manila tragedy. The inquest will be held in February.

Lim came to Hong Kong in an effort to repair the ill will and strained relations that came in the aftermath of the seizure of a tour bus by a fired former policeman Rolando Mendoza.

Lim said institutional reforms have been started including the formation of a special 185-strong national police tourist team which will patrol Manila and 13 priority tourist areas to provide security for travelers.

The national police will also deploy a special highway task force to improve safety on roads and buses while drivers and tour guides will receive additional training.

Rolando Mendoza, angry that he was fired after planting false evidence and attempting to extort money from a prisoner, seized the tour bus carrying 21 vacationing Hong Kong residents on the day the visitors were to have come home.

While holding the bus hostage, Mendoza contacted authorities to demand that he be reinstated as a senior police officer.

Dissatisfied with the progress of protracted negotiations the deranged Mendoza went on a hooting rampage. Outside the bus, police officers made futile efforts to break in.

In addition to the eight Hong Kong citizens he shot dead, Mendoza wounded seven others. The corrupt ex-officer himself finally was brought down by a hail of bullets from police.

The incident was broadcast live around the world.

In the face of revelations of official bungling during an initial Philippine investigation, a new crisis coordination center has been set up to manage future emergencies.

A second report outlining additional remedies is due to be completed and will be forwarded soon, Lim said.

Criminal charges were filed against only one person in connection with the murders - Mendoza's brother. Gregorio Mendoza, also a police officer, went to the scene of the crisis and interfered in negotiations and was heard urging his brother not to surrender.

Philippine authorities have filed administrative charges against five ranking police officers.

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim is under internal investigation but remains in office.

Philippine Tourism Secretary said his government was prepared to offer tokens of solidarity to the victims and their families. That will take the form of monetary compensation and "in-kind" compensation.

Referring to Hong Kong's continued "black travel" warning on travel to the Philippines, Lim said his visit was a goodwill mission. He denied that he had asked the administration to lift the travel warning. Lim said the black travel advisory had reduced the number of Hong Kong visitors by one third or 50,000 visitors this year.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said he would liaise with travel industry stakeholders before considering any changes to the advisory.

There are about 150,000 Filipino workers living in Hong Kong. The majority work as domestic helpers.

China Daily

(HK Edition 12/17/2010 page1)