Society

LegCo holds debate on Manila hostage carnage

By Joseph Li (China Daily HK Edition)
Updated: 2010-09-03 09:22

The coroner is awaiting the report of a team of Hong Kong police investigators into the August 23 massacre of eight Hong Kong tourists in Manila, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee told a special meeting of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Thursday.

The investigators flew home from Manila Thursday after wrapping up inquiries in tandem with Filipino police. The report of the investigators will be filed along with post mortem accounts of the eight victims and the coroner then will decide whether a hearing is warranted.

The LegCo Thursday debated and carried resolution expressing condolences to the victims and sympathy for the families and survivors. Lawmakers observed one-minute silence prior to the commencement of the meeting.

The rate accord among lawmakers followed Sunday's silent march, sponsored by all parties and attended by 80,000 people, in memory of the victims.

The wording of the Thursday motion was unanimously agreed among political parties. The resolution also demanded that the Philippines government expeditiously investigate the incident, make public the report of the investigation, apologize and compensate survivors and families of the victims.

It also asked the Hong Kong government to render full assistance to the survivors and families of the victims, formulate contingency mechanisms and define negotiations channels during overseas incidents involving Hong Kong people.

Related readings:  Hong Kong stages rally to mourn for hostage victims  HK, Philippines to exchange hostage probe info

Miriam Lau moved the motion in her capacity as House Committee chair.

Legislators also agreed that the Hong Kong government had taken all appropriate measures the day the tragedy took place.

Legislator Priscilla Leung proposed a permanent fund to provide psychological counseling and financial assistance to the survivors.

Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho said the Hong Kong government responded quickly. He said there were no grounds upon which to criticize Chief Executive Donald Tsang for making several futile attempts to telephone Philippine President Benigno Aquino, because it was clear that Tsang held the safety of the Hong Kong captives as his priority.

Lee said the SAR government and the Foreign Ministry have asked the Philippine government to investigate thoroughly and fairly. Particularly, Chief Executive Donald Tsang has sent President Aquino a written request for clarification of several key issues, including causes of deaths and the reason not to entertain the gunman's demand in exchange of safety of the hostages.

"The Philippine government has said openly it will investigate thoroughly without hiding anything. I hope they will honor their pledge," said Lee. "Once the report is available, the SAR government will follow up the liability question to repay justice to the victims."

As to James To's proposal to send family members of the victims to testify in the probe by the Philippines, Lee said he needs to explore the legality and respect the wishes of the families.

He also said while Hong Kong people are so saddened, they show great unity and love, while the families of the victims are so strong, calling it a time for Hong Kong to cohere their consensus and show the glorious side of human nature.

Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung said the government would offer continuous, comprehensive support to the affected families.