MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 9,2014) – The Philippines government said achieving understanding and closure, and not retaliation, will be the guiding principle in dealing with the diplomatic sanctions imposed recently by Hong Kong over the failure of President Aquino to apologize over the death of 8 tourists in a hostage crisis in Manila in 2010.
Hong Kong has revoked visa-free privileges for holders of official Philippine passports after Aquino rejected anew fresh appeals from Filipino lawmakers and various groups to apologize.
“Sa anumang sitwasyon na may pagkakaiba ng pananaw, ano ba ang magpapalapit sa posisyon, ano ba ang option na dapat tahakin para madagdagan imbis na mabawasan ang pagtitiwala at pagkakaunawaan? (Ang) retaliatory options, kabahagi ba sila ng magpapalapit sa pagkakaunawaan o papalayo doon (In situations where there is a difference of opinion, what will bring the parties closer to an understanding and what would lessen trust and understanding? Will retaliatory options bring us closer or move us far away from an understanding)?” asked Herminio Coloma, a government spokesman.
“Ang focus ay sa hakbang na makapagpalapit sa pagkaroon ng pagkaunawaan at pagkalinga sa mga affected families. Yan ang primary concern natin (Our focus is to reach an understanding and help the affected families. That is our primary concern),” he said, adding both sides are still continuing to engage each other through continuing dialogues and conversations that hopefully would lead to achieving mutually satisfactory results and closure.
Coloma said the government is pursuing all avenues for the possible attainment of closure on the matter. He said the focus now is on being able to provide direct support to the affected families, which is part of the framework for reaching and understanding.
He said that in the face of all recent developments, the Philippine government remains determined to pursue the attainment of a mutual agreement and reassured Filipinos working in Hong Kong that the Aquino government is prepared to help them and ensure their rights, including those of ease of travel and employment opportunities.
“Kaya sinasabi natin naghahanda naman ang ating pamahalaan ng karampatang hakbang para tiyakin ang kapakanan ng ating mamamayan ay mapangalagaan (The government is preparing the proper steps to uphold the welfare of Filipinos),” he said. “Hindi natin makokontrol ang action ng external parties (We cannot control the actions of external parties). We can only control our response to these issues.”
Hong Kong’s demanded for an apology stemmed from the August 2010 crisis where a dismissed policeman took a busload of tourists hostage to demand his reinstatement.
The policeman and eight of the tourists were killed in a failed police rescue operation.
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