In this file photo taken on August 23, 2010, Philippine policemen take position as they start their attack on a hijacked tourist bus in Manila. AFP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III will not apologize over the hostage-taking incident in Manila that left eight Hong Kong nationals dead because China never apologized for similar incidents.
The President said this in an exclusive interview with the New York Times on Tuesday, the first time he responded to the sanctions Hong Kong imposed against the Philippines
The report, without directly quoting the President, said Aquino believed that an apology will only create a legal liability since China had not compensated families of Filipinos who died there.
Coloma, who was present during the interview, confirmed what was said.
“Ang malinaw kong narinig ay ‘yung pagsasabi na mayroong similar incidents na, katulad noong nakaraang taon, a Filipina doctor—Doctor Bunye from Cavite—was killed (in 2013) when there was a wayward vehicle that rammed itself into a crowd in Tiananmen Square,” he said.
The Secretary also mentioned the fatal stabbing of businessman Emmanuel Madrigal and his daughter, also in Tiananmen Square in 2005.
“It is simply a reiteration of what he already conveyed,” the Secretary said, citing Aquino’s meeting with Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying during the last Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit.
During that meeting, Aquino merely extended his condolences and refused to give an outright apology.
Starting Wednesday, Philippine officials and diplomats may no longer enter Hong Kong without a visa.
The special administrative region of China canceled the visa-free privileges of officials after the Philippine government refused to send a formal apology to the families of those who were killed during the hostage-taking incident.
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