Survivors and Families of The Killed in Manila Hijack Demand Apology
by The Manila Hijack tragedy saw eight people killed and seven wounded. However, one year on, the Philippine President still refused to apologize.
August 23, 2010 was a date that Hong Kong people will not forget. A coach with a tour group from Hong Kong was hijacked by a gunman in Manila. The fiasco lasted eight hours. Journalists and Cameramen from TV stations in Hong Kong were able to fly in and televise the scene live. It was reported that the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang, made emergency phone calls to the President of the Philippines, Beningo Aquino, but he did not answer.
The sluggish rescue efforts by the Philippine Police did not help. As a result, the tour leader, Masa Tse, and 7 other tourists were killed by the gunman. One year on, there are still no official apologies from the Philippines.
The Survivors
Of those who survived, three were seriously injured having had bullets passing through the head, chin, and fingers respectively. One is still in hospital and the other two suffering life-long injuries. A brother-sister pair, who joined the tour with their parents, lost both of their parents in the tragedy. A family of five joined the tour together and now only the mother and the son survived.
In a letter written by survivor Lee Ying-chuen, it was recalled that “… One year on, I can still remember the smile of the Philippine President at the scene of the hijack, corpses of the dead were placed in the wrong coffin, heads of the dead were not properly put back after anatomy, and yet we do not hear any consolation or apologies from the officials of the Philippines….. I hope that one day I can tell, in front of the tombs of the late tour group members, that justice has been done.”
One Year On
On the first anniversary of the hijack a survivor and family members of Masa Tse re-visited the scene to mourn the dead. During their stay in Manila, they met the Philippine Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima and Congressmen who agreed that demands for a formal apology from the government and compensation are not unreasonable. The Congressmen promised to advise them on how best to proceed with their demands. They described the trip as “useful, but not successful”.
Black-alert Travel Warning to the Philippines
Since the tragedy, the Hong Kong government raised a black travel alert for outbound tours to the Philippines to warn tourists of the risks of travelling there, and travelling there should be avoided. Philippine tour operators have been urging the warning to be lifted, claiming that measures have been imposed to safeguard tourists in the country.
Philippine Officials also invited Hong Kong tour operators and the media to an inspection tour to the country, but the Hong Kong side refused to go. “They should come to Hong Kong to explain to the frontline tour guides, the tourist industry and the people of Hong Kong on what has been done” in the aftermath of the tragedy to better safeguard tourists, said Michael Wu, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong,
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Post CommentJoe Ram
On August 26, 2011 at 5:35 am
I am still saddend by the event and do not want to include pictures of the tragedy, although one would make the story more telling.
Eunice Tan
On August 26, 2011 at 5:44 am
I think it is reasonable if the survivors and family demand apology
neopisiva
On August 26, 2011 at 5:57 am
This is news to me. Thanks for the share!
Sunjhini
On August 26, 2011 at 8:02 am
this is so sad. thanks for sharing
mphsglo
On August 26, 2011 at 8:55 am
Very sad.
Joe Ram
On August 26, 2011 at 8:26 pm
Eunice, neopisiva, sunjhihi, mphsglo, thanks for reading!
juliachild
On August 27, 2011 at 2:34 am
thanks for the share
aheed411
On August 27, 2011 at 10:28 am
Sad
KittyK
On August 28, 2011 at 3:41 am
How sad that no apology was even considered. This is truly an insult to those who were directly affected by this tragic event.
SharifaMcFarlane
On August 30, 2011 at 6:04 pm
I can imagine how hurt the people of your country feel. It is disregard.
pinay007
On September 1, 2011 at 9:49 am
am sorry if my comment wouldn’t share the same sentiment as the previous comments. i don’t feel the President should apologize for something he didn’t do. i offer sympathy to the families of the victims but they should demand apology from those who rightly caused the tragedy or the unfortunate events that came after it. in the same way as we Filipinos shouldn’t be blamed for what happened because it was only the work of one, not all of us. i was in Singapore when this tragedy happened and only learned it through the news. however, everytime a Chinese would know I am a Filipino he/she would say, “You a Filipino? You no good!” How on earth did I become responsible for something I only read on the news? should i also cry foul?
tenraj
On October 28, 2011 at 2:17 am
so sad.. thanks for sharing