Hostage-taking is just one of the trials we must face, PNoy says
Saddened by the unfortunate hostage-taking that led to the deaths of Hongkong nationals who were on their way to the Manila Ocean Park, President Benigno S. Aquino III reminded the people that “this is just one trials that we must face and we must not give up.”
The President, who monitored the 11-hour hostage drama that ended at 9 p.m., said on Monday in a midnight conference the government will institute measures to increase the sense of well-being and security of the people and provide funds necessary to support the training and acquisition more effective of equipment for police authorities.
“Let us not forget that this pales in comparison to the terrorism that took place in Germany 1972 where almost all of the Israeli team taken hostage were wiped out,” the President stressed.
“To this day, nobody can tell you that there is a guarantee for success in the field of anti terrorism and hostage rescues. That is (simply) not the case,” he said.
As to whether he would require higher officials to lead negotiations in hostage-taking situations, the President said “that would lead to an increase in demands by the hostage takers if there was a higher official (present) that could grant him theoretically (with) more privileges and more concessions.”
The President was reacting to the incident where heavily-armed Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza held hostage a tourist bus with around 20 tourists from Hongkong at the Quirino Grandstand. Mendoza earlier demanded for his reinstatement in the police force.
As to whether he would require higher officials to be lead negotiators in hostage-taking situations, the President said “that it may lead to an increase in demands by the hostage takers if there was a higher official (present) that could grant him theoretically (with) more privileges and more concessions.”
The President said the government expects more of the facts of this incident to come to light as he ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to thoroughly lead the review of this incident. (OPS)
Aquino condoles with families of slain Hongkong tourists
President Benigno S. Aquino III last night apologized and condoled with the families of the slain tourists from Hongkong, who were held hostage at the Quirino Grandstand by a dismissed Manila police captain Monday morning. The hostage taker released nine, allowed the driver to escape and then fired at one of the negotiators. Shots were later heard inside the sealed bus.
“With the rest of the Filipino people, I wish to offer our deepest condolences to the families of the victims whose lives were lost in the hostage situation at the Quirino Grandstand,” the President said in his opening statement in a press conference at midnight on Tuesday in the Palace. After the press conference, the President went to the crime scene and inspected the heavily-damaged bus at the Rizal Park.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo “has conveyed our deep feelings of sorrow to the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China and the people of Hongkong through the Hongkong Chief Executive Donald Tsang,” the Chief Executive said.
He said he has tasked Social Welfare Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and Tourism Secretary Albert Lim to provide everything necessary for the recovery and (safe) return home of the survivors.
The President said he also directed police officials to give their fullest cooperation with Hongkong authorities in the investigation of this incident.
“We expect more of the facts to come to light and I have ordered Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to thoroughly lead the review,” the President said, adding the incident added to his problems, one of which is to generate jobs through tourism “where we intended to double the tourism figures from 3 million visitors to 6 million.”
Similarly, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Chief Ramon “Ricky” Carandang told a news briefing Tuesday afternoon that the Department of Foreign Affairs is now briefing the Diplomatic Corps to reassure them, along with the international community that government continues to protect the safety of its visitors and that this is one unfortunate incident,” Carandang said.
Carandang said such briefings will mitigate the possible negative effect on tourism of what happened so the foreign community will “have more of an understanding and perhaps be kinder when they issue travel advisories.”
He said President Aquino’s meeting on Tuesday with the Chinese Ambassador will tackle specific measures to protect Chinese citizens in the country.
On the travel advisories issued by six countries, Carandang said, “we will meet with the Ambassadors of these countries to explain to them what happened and the steps being taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again.” (OPS)
Coloma graces launch of Xiamen Satellite TV
Presidential Communications Group Secretary Sonny Coloma graced Monday night the launch of Xiamen Satellite television (TV) at the Century Park Hotel, where he cited the deepening cultural relations between China and the Philippines.
Coloma delivered a short speech during the launch where he said President Benigno S. Aquino III cares so much for Filipino Chinese relations.
Xiamen, he noted, is China’s first open economic zone. “With its rapid economic development and beautiful environment, Xiamen is now a famous tourist city,” Coloma said.
The signing of ASEAN Compact 10 plus 1 recently further strengthened Philippines and China relations. Xiamen and Manila are very much similar, while Xiamen and Cebu have long been adopted sister cities.
“I believe that through Xiamen TV, the exchange of television programs between the Philippines and China could be done more smoothly and their outstanding traditional cultures would reach the hearts and homes of every Filipino televiewers and vice versa,” Coloma said.
The launch was attended by Federation of Filipino Association of the Philippines chairman Peter Ty, Xiamen Media Group president Zhou Min, Xiamen Public Affairs Undersecretary Hong Bi Ling and Cultural Counsellor Chen Yongshan. (OPS)
Aquino declares Aug. 25 day of mourning
President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Proclamation 23, declaring Aug. 25, 2010 as a national day of mourning, following the hostage-taking Monday by a dismissed police captain of over 20 tourists from Hongkong.
The Hongkong government declared a day of mourning earlier to express its sorrow over the deaths of its nationals.
“These deaths are a great loss to the peoples of Hongkong and the Philippines and calls for the most solemn commemoration and respect of a time of grief for our two peoples,” the President said.
The President ordered the flying of Philippine flags at half mast by all public institutions and embassies and consulates overseas on Aug. 25, 2010.
On Tuesday, a mass was held at the Luneta along with masses held at EDSA Shrine, Cebu and Davao.
The President also met with Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao and they were both briefed by Manila Police District Chief Gen. Rodolfo Magtibay and other police officers of what really transpired
Lacierda said in a press briefing in Malacanang Tuesday, that the President committed to Ambassador Jianchao the government’s assistance to the victims and their relatives, including the repatriation of their bodies not late than Wednesday.
According to Lacierda, the President also spoke over the phone with Hongkong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and reiterated the sympathy of the Filipino people to the families and relatives of the victims in the hostage incident.
“We continue to observe our sorrow with them. The next thing is for us to go on with the investigation to determine what really happened.” Lacierda said. (OPS)
