NewPhilippine ‘bus hostage’ delegation divided as only half the members arrive in Hong Kong

Confusion surrounded a visit by a delegation of senior Philippine officials today which was set-up in a bid to defuse a diplomatic row over the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy and discuss compensation and an apology to victims’ families.

Yesterday, it was announced that a delegation of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Jose Rene Almendras, secretary to President Benigno Aquino’s cabinet, and Philippine National Police director general Alan Purisima would arrive in the city today for meetings.

Today, however, Estrada arrived with Manila city councillor Bernardito Ang at the Hong Kong International Airport nearly an hour after their expected 12.20pm arrival. There was no sign of Almendras or Purisima.

Sources in Manila, who only spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to say why the delegation did not travel together, as earlier announced. It is not known when they plan to travel to Hong Kong.

Diego Cagahastian, public information chief for Estrada, said yesterday: “This is a Malacanang (Palace) trip. He added that the visit was “a joint effort of the national and local (Philippine) government”.

They left the airport’s VIP complex shortly after 2pm in a security motorcade comprising of a matte-black Rolls Royce, two matte-black Mercedes-Benz G-Class Sport Utility vehicles and two seven-seater vans.

Estrada, in his trademark sunglasses, and Ang, who was in a wheelchair, left the airport building without speaking to journalists waiting at the exit.