No more visa-free entry for Filipino envoys and officials to Hong Kong starting Feb. 5 Staff Report Published January 29, 2014 A photo grab from the Hong Kong Information Services Department video shows Chief Executive CY Leung, right, announcing the indefinite suspension of the 14-day visa-free entry privilege to Filipino diplomats and officials visiting Hong Kong from February 5. The move came after the Philippine government failed to issue a formal public apology over the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy that killed eight Chinese tourists. A photo grab from the Hong Kong Information Services Department video shows Chief Executive CY Leung, right, announcing the indefinite suspension of the 14-day visa-free entry privilege to Filipino diplomats and officials visiting Hong Kong from February 5. The move came after the Philippine government failed to issue a formal public apology over the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy that killed eight Chinese tourists. HONG KONG: All Philippine diplomats and government officials will no longer enjoy a 14-day visa free entry to Hong Kong starting February 5 after the country failed to offer a formal apology over the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy that killed eight Chinese tourists. Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying did not say when the visa-free entry suspension will be lifted but did stress that Hong Kong will remain open to dialogues with the Philippines. Filipino nationals holding ordinary passports can still enter Hong Kong visa-free. “The sanctions we just announced are just and justified. We welcome the continuation of dialogue between us and the Philippines to bring the matter to a final conclusion,” he announced in a news briefing on January 29. His office later released a press statement officially pointing out February 5 as the start date when the visa-free visiting arrangement with the Philippines for diplomats and officials would be suspended. Leung said this is just the beginning of many sanctions his government plans to impose on the Philippines for its failure to appease the families of the eight killed Chinese tourists whose bus was held by an armed sacked policeman. A bungled rescue attempt between the hostage-taker and the local police led to the victims’ death. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III recently met in Bali, Indonesia with Leung and discussed the demands of the victims and their relatives, which include an apology, compensation, holding responsible officials accountable and adopting measures to enhance tourist safety. Leung said the Philippine government has responded positively to the other demands but there was no formal apology offered. “However, the victims, their families and the Hong Kong Government have agreed the lack of a formal apology is not acceptable, and the government will implement necessary sanctions to bring a satisfactory conclusion to the incident,” he said. More than 100,000 Filipino domestic helpers work in Hong Kong but the 2010 hostage crisis strained the two countries’ relations. The situation is worsened over repeated clashes between China and the Philippines over the disputed oil-rich Spratly Islands located within their sea borders
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 08:30:51 +0000
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