Phl's position on hostage crisis remains same: official

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippine government will not change its position of working quietly with Hong Kong in finding a "mutually satisfying conclusion" to the hostage crisis, a senior government official said here today.

Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said at a press briefing that the government's position has not changed even after the Hong Kong Legislative Council passed a motion to scrap the Filipino's visa-free access to Hong Kong.

"Our position remains the same. Both sides are working quietly to address these concerns and reach a 'mutually satisfying conclusion.'"

Coloma also appealed to Filipinos who may be affected by such a sanction to remain calm, saying the Philippine Consulate General continues to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs to solve the problem.

Eight Hong Kong tourists died in Philippine capital city Manila in 2010 after a dismissed policeman took a busload of tourists as hostage. The Philippine government has been refusing to apologize to the victims even though the government was widely criticized for the botched rescue.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada promised late last month to formally apologize to the victims of the hostage crisis. But the Philippine government said later that Estrada's announcement was " an independent decision of the Manila government."