Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—In light of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s visit to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to apologize to the relatives of the 2010 Manila hostage crisis victims, China has once again urged the Philippine government to respond to their demands for a formal apology.
“Since this hostage incident took place several years ago, the Chinese government has been urging the Philippine side to earnestly respond to the legitimate and lawful demands of the government of the Hong Kong SAR and the relatives of the victim,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a briefing after Estrada flew to Hong Kong.
China further urged the Philippines to “properly handle relevant issues as soon as possible.”
Hong Kong has been demanding that the Philippines issue a formal apology over the bungled rescue operation of the police during the 2010 Manila Hostage Crisis.
Leung Chun-ying, chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), last January 2014 announced that they are imposing sanctions against the Philippines for failure to issue a formal apology.
“The Philippine side is still unable to meet the demand of the victims and their families for a formal apology,” Leung said in a briefing January.
“The victims and their families and the SAR government agree the response is unacceptable,” he said.
Hong Kong cancelled visa-free access for Philippine diplomats and officials as part of the “first phase” of sanctions, Leung said.
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