HK warns Manila to take actions over hostage crisis

Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said Tuesday that the city government would take necessary actions, unless substantial progress is made within one month by the Philippine side.

Leung made the statement at a media session before the Executive Council meeting Tuesday morning.

Leung said his government will carry on with the talks and urge the Philippinesto make a concrete and timely response.

"The objective is to work out a satisfactory response to the four demands of the victims and their families. We have seen some progress but we still have a long way to go. I fully understand the disappointment among the victims and the families, which is shared by the community at large," Leung added.

He said his government has held official discussions with the Philippine government and the City of Manila separately, since his formal meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino on the sidelines of the APECsummit in Bali, Indonesia a month ago.

Leung also said motions for sanctions against the Philippines from Legislative Council members will be debated on Wednesday.

Eight Hong Kong tourists died after a dismissed policeman took a busload of tourists hostage on Aug. 23, 2010. A botched police rescue attempt prompted him to open fire on his hostages before he was himself gunned down.

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

The Philippine president has consistently refused to make an open apology, saying it is against the Philippines' culture to apologize for any mistake by individuals.

Related:

HONG KONG, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Progress has been made on the Manila hostage-taking incident, and Hong Kong Legislative Councillor James To will meet with the Philippine side on behalf of victims and bereaved families, Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters before attending an Executive Council meeting, Leung said his government has followed up on the incident since he met Philippine President Benigno Aquino on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Bali, Indonesia early this month and the central government has been supportive of the Hong Kong government 's work. Full story