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MANILA, Philippines??In solidarity with the people of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which lost eight lives from the hostage-taking incident in Manila? Monday, the Philippine government has declared August 25 as day of national mourning.
Under Proclamation 23 signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III today, all public institutions in the country, as well as Philippine embassies and consulates general overseas, are instructed to lower the Philippine Flag at half-mast on August 25.
The Philippine government considers the deaths of eight Hong Kong nationals a great loss to the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
?These deaths are a great loss to the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines, and call for the most solemn commemoration and respect at a time of grief for our two peoples,? the proclamation said.
Earlier, the DFA lowered its Philippine Flag at half-mast in memory of the lives lost in the incident.
