No visa-free travel for Philippine diplomats

The Hong Kong SAR government says it will cancel visa-free travel for Philippine officials and diplomats. The sanctions are part of an ongoing row over the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists during a hostage siege three and a half years ago. Hong Kong is angry that Manila has refused to apologize over the handling of the incident.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said, "Apologizing officially to the victims and victims' families is the most important step. The Philippines still has not satisfied the demands of the victims' families, despite many rounds of negotiations. Serious disagreements exist between the two sides."

The sanctions will take effect on Feburary the 5th. Up to 800 holders of Philippine diplomatic and service passports will see their 14-day visa-free treatment suspended.

Leung called for a continuation of dialogue with the Philippines to try to reach a settlement. But Philippine President Benigno Aquino the Third has ruled out issuing a formal apology.

In August 2010, a dismissed policeman seized a coach carrying 25 Hong Kong tourists, killing eight of them. The siege and the shootout was watched by millions live on television. An official inquiry in the Philippines criticized poor handling of the incident by police and security officials.