Image courtesy of www.rappler.com
Source: www.rappler.com
A joint statement released by the two governments on Wednesday, April 23, said that "the HKSAR Government and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines have agreed that the 4 demands made by the victims and their families on apology, compensation, sanctions against responsible officials and individuals, and tourist safety measures" had been resolved.
Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Alan Purisima are all in Hong Kong.
There was however, no official apology from the Philippine government about the incident – one of Hong Kong's major demands.
The statement instead said the Philippines "expresses its most sorrowful regret and profound sympathy, and extends its most sincere condolences for the pain and suffering of the victims and their families."
It also said Purisima "has written to all victims of their families."
The Philippine Government will also give "an additional token of solidarity" to victims or their families "as a most sincere gesture of compassion of the people of the Philippines" although the statement did not give any details about the said token.
The Philippines had already provided undisclosed financial compensation to victims and their relatives, with the money donated by private individuals. According to Cable TV News, the Philippine government will offer HK$1.5 million (8.6 million pesos) for each of the deceased and HK$3 million (17.3 million pesos) for the injured in a compensation package which would total HK$20 million (115.3 million pesos).
Additionally, the statement said "Philippine Government has assured the HKSAR Government that measures are being undertaken to hold to account those responsible and to see the outstanding proceedings conclude as soon as possible."
Aligned with the Hong Kong victims' fourth demand, the Philippines also gave assurance a similar incident will not happen again following measures implemented by the government "to guarantee the welfare and safety of those visiting the Philippines."
Hong Kong had been infuriated by the Philippines' response to the incident in August 2010, in which a former local police officer hijacked a Manila tour bus in protest at his sacking.
Eight people from Hong Kong were killed and 7 wounded in a bungled rescue effort by Philippine security forces.
No apology
President Benigno Aquino III has been adamant about his stance on not issuing an apology to Hong Kong, arguing it could create a legal liability and pointing out that China has not paid compensation to the families of Filipino victims who died in the mainland.
In February, Hong Kong issued sanctions on visa-free entry for Philippine government officials and diplomats.
All sanctions against the Philippines have been lifted by Hong Kong.
The news was happily welcomed by the Philippine government. Malacañang said Aquino was satisfied with the development.
"I have conveyed to the President the report of Secretary Almendras [confirming the resolution] and he expressed satisfaction that final closure and a mutually satisfactory conclusion has been reached," Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma said in a statement.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also issued a statement, saying "the Philippines looks forward to working with the Hong Kong SAR government in turning a new page in bilateral relations."
Talks since October
The resolution comes 6 months after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Meeting in Bali, Indonesia, in October 2013, where Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying met with Aquino.
Their meeting took place a day after several Hong Kong journalists were kicked out of APEC for shouting questions at Aquino regarding the crisis.
During their discussion, Aquino and Leung agreed to do their best to resolve issue. New negotiations started that month, with Aquino appointing Almendras to meet with Hong Kong officials to try and find a win-win solution.
Almendras, who has been discreetly traveling to Hong Kong since October to engage in talks, arrived in Hong Kong around 10am Thursday morning. Estrada flew a day earlier with 7 Manila councilors.
Estrada has apologized previously to Hong Kong in behalf of Manila.
sino magbabayad sa mga victims? dapat yung mga officials na puro palpak nung nangyari ang incident.
ReplyDeleteSi Alfredo lim ang ground commander nung mga panahong yun. And ano na nangyare dun sa kaso nung nagwalang pulis na yun? Hindi man Lang ni review Kung naset up ba talaga ung pulis o corrupt talaga!
DeleteIba talaga makipagnegosasyon Si Jose Velarde!
DeleteSabi ng taga HK, salamat sa Philippine tax payer dahil doon kukunin yung pang bayad sa mga victims. Paano mag babayad yung mga officials na puro palpak, sila nga yung nag nanakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Nanakawan na nga ang mga tax payer, nag bayad pa sa mga victims.
ReplyDeletePaandar ng mga nakaupo sa manila. Magkano kaya ang presyong babayaran natin per head. Hay nakeyyy.
ReplyDeleteWhy do Filipinos have to answer and suffer for the incompetencies of these people in the government? Kasi binoto natin sila. Ayun!
ReplyDeleteTAMA.
DeleteKorak!
Deleteati..kahit wala ka iboto meron padin mananalo.mas madami ang mangmang sa pilipinas kesa marunong.sad to say but truth hurts.
Delete10:11, ganyang paniniwala ang nakakapagpanalo ng mga walang kwentang officials.
DeleteAng belief na mababalewala boto ko kaya si lesser evil na lang ang iboboto ko instead of someone na talagang gusto ko. Or worse, di na talaga boboto.
I knew it! Sanctions pa daw ng hongkong eh sino ba mawawalan? Sila din kaya no choice sila na tanggapin yan. Nakakatawa yung ibang nagcocomment of course sa tax payers kukunin yan san pa? Kahit saan bansa ganyan. Maging masaya nga kayo kung may makukuha sa tax it means may natira pa sa mga binabayad nyo eh hindi nyo na nabasa na galing na lang sa donations yung mga binibigay sa family ng victims?
ReplyDeletePaandar ng mga taga manila? At least may nagawa sila at natapos na ang pagkahaba-habang problema na yan. Buti nga nag extra effort si mayor estrada eh si lim ano ba ginawa?
pasalamat nga sya napatawad tayo ng HK. ikaw ba naman mamatayan ng kamaganak sa ibang bansa tapos ang pagkakaalam mo nagbabakasyon lang sila. tapos itong nangyari pa sa taiwan, ano na kaya nangyari dun.
ReplyDeleteYan ang pinoy! Kung magapologize,agkatapos ng madaming pagtatakip! Walang kusa mag apology! Kailangan may mga ekek pa! Si erap hindi pa ko masyado hanga sa paghingi nya ng apology kase hindi ko Lam kung may bahid ng kagustuhan din mapahiya si lim. Alam naman natin pinoympoliticians
ReplyDeletetaxpayers' money!!!!
ReplyDeleteExpect Joseph Estrada to run for Presidency. Yan ang reason kaya tumakbo sya as Manila Mayor. Di ba ang daming praise release ng mga kuning kuning na pagpapa ganda sa Manila as soon as he was elected?
ReplyDeleteGood news! At sana matuloy na ang no visa entry for filipinos sa Japan. Mukhang malaki ang chance ng matuloy ayon sa balita kanina yehey!!!
ReplyDelete