Update | Hong Kong stands firm on visa sanctions after Manila refuses to apologise for bus tragedy
The Hong Kong government issued a statement from the chief executives' office on Thursday clarifying its stance on the newly-announced visa sanctions against the Philippines, hours after Manila said it was “not prepared to consider” apologising for the bus hostage crisis nearly four years ago.
The Philippines said on Thursday it was “not prepared to consider” apologising for the Manila bus hostage crisis nearly four years ago, despite Hong Kong’s newly-announced visa sanctions against the country.
The spokesman for the Philippine foreign affairs department Raul Hernandez said in a statement that the country’s government “regretted” Hong Kong’s decision to cancel visa-free privileges for its officials and diplomats visiting the city.
The announced measure aims to send an unequivocal message to the Philippine government. We hope the Philippine government will demonstrate greater sincerity and resolve to bring a satisfactory conclusion to the Manila hostage-taking incident
He said the sanction was “unfortunate” because substantial compensation on the bus crisis had previously been arrived at with the Hong Kong government, the victims and their families.
Hong Kong on Wednesday announced that holders of official and diplomatic Philippine passport holders would no longer enjoy a 14-day visa-free arrangement when the first phase of sanctions takes effect next Wednesday.
Later on Thursday, the Hong Kong government issued a statement from the chief executives' office re-iterating its position on the matter.
"As the Chief Executive stated yesterday, the four demands of the victims and their families are justified. The Philippine side has addressed three of the demands positively. However, we have been seeking a satisfactory solution to the four demands made by the victims and family members as a package," the statement began.
"Despite many rounds of discussion, the Philippine side is still unable to meet the demand of the victims and their families for a formal apology. There remains a substantive difference between us," the statement continued. "We have to emphasise that the victims and their families have been demanding a formal apology from the Philippine side from the very beginning since the incident. The HKSAR Government will continue to seek a satisfactory response from the Philippine side."