NewAquino has ‘no plans’ to apologise over Manila bus tragedy despite sanctions

Philippine President Benigno Aquino says he has no plans to apologise to Hong Kong over the Manila bus hostage incident, as Hong Kong’s diplomatic sanctions against Manila take effect on Wednesday.

The Philippine leader gave his first public response to the sanctions in an interview with The New York Times.

Hong Kong has cancelled 14-day visa-free arrangements for visiting Philippine officials and diplomatic passport holders, retaliation for Manila’s refusal to offer an official apology to the Hong Kong victims of the 2010 tragedy.

But Aquino told the Times that he had no plans to apologise, as doing so could create a legal liability.

The Philippine president also noted that China had not paid compensation to the families of Filipinos who have died in episodes there, the Times reported.

In Hong Kong, financial services legislator Christopher Cheung Wah-fung, a native of the Philippines, said the Hong Kong government’s sanctions were suitable.

“The business community in the Philippines is concerned about whether Hong Kong will take further actions, which may affect business and trade between the two places,” Cheung said. “But they do feel that the president should apologise to pacify the [victims’] families.”