Phl government keeps lines with HK open

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is keeping lines of communication with Hong Kong open in the wake of visa requirements that the Chinese territory imposed on holders of diplomatic and official Philippine passports, Malacañang said yesterday.

Hong Kong made the move after the Philippines refused to apologize over the hostage-taking incident in Manila in 2010 where eight Hong Kong tourists were killed.

Some senators asked the Palace to reconsider its decision not to say sorry officially while others suggested that Vice President Jejomar Binay be sent to Hong Kong to resolve the matter and protect the overseas Filipino workers there.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over dzRB yesterday that the Philippine government is always ready to resolve the issue through dialogue.

She said “consultations” on the matter are also ongoing.

The Department of Foreign Affairs had expressed regret over Hong Kong’s decision and said it was “unfortunate.”

It added that the Philippines “remains committed to manifest compassion for the victims and their families and is ready to turn over the additional tokens of solidarity from the Filipino people.”

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the government had exerted all efforts to address the hostage-taking incident.

Hong Kong demanded an apology from the Philippine government, compensation for the victims and bereaved families, punishment of the officials responsible and improvement for tourist safety.

The Philippines has consistently refused to make an open apology, saying it is against Philippine culture to apologize for mistakes of individuals.

“Except for one unresolved matter, all of the demands and issues have been resolved by both parties,” Coloma said, apparently referring to the formal apology as the remaining point of contention.

“We remain committed to bring the issue to its final conclusion as we prepare to turn over additional tokens of solidarity. We are prepared to reiterate our deepest regret and condolences over the incident. We will continue to work with the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, hopeful that they so desire to bring complete closure to this incident,” Coloma said.

An eye for an eye

Meanwhile, a senior administration lawmaker called on the Aquino regime to enforce visa requirements for officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in retaliation for similar restrictions imposed on Philippine official and diplomatic passport holders by the southern Chinese city’s government.

Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo said the same sanctions should be imposed on Hong Kong officials even as he warned that the sanctions could be extended to ordinary Filipinos in the future.

He expressed support to President Aquino’s stand not to apologize for the tragic hostage even as he urged the Department of Tourism (DOT) to develop a program on domestic tourism to replace Hong Kong as a tourist destination.

“We don’t know yet their plans about extending the sanction to our ordinary citizens, but we should come out with our retaliation,” he said.

Castelo called on the DOT to develop a media campaign “to inculcate into the national psyche that the country has tourist destinations that could rival foreign destinations, particularly Hong Kong.”

He said cities like Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Bacolod could be developed as alternatives to Hong Kong. 

“The issue on domestic tourism is cost,” Castelo said. “The moment our tourism officials have come out with programs that would lead to lower expenditure, we could encourage our local people to patronize domestic tourist destinations.”          â€“ With Paolo Romero