HK warns Manila to take actions over hostage crisis

Manila bus hostage survivors Chan Kwok-chu (right) and Yik Siu-ling answer media questions in a 2011 file photo.[Photo by Edmond Tang/China Daily]

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Tuesday that the city government would take necessary actions, unless substantial progress is made within one month by the Philippine side.

Leung made the statement at a media session before the Executive Council meeting Tuesday morning.

Leung said his government will carry on with the talks and urge the Philippines to make a concrete and timely response.

"The objective is to work out a satisfactory response to the four demands of the victims and their families. We have seen some progress but we still have a long way to go. I fully understand the disappointment among the victims and the families, which is shared by the community at large," Leung added.

He said his government has held official discussions with the Philippine government and the City of Manila separately, since his formal meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Bali, Indonesia a month ago.

Leung also said motions for sanctions against the Philippines from Legislative Council members will be debated on Wednesday.

Eight Hong Kong tourists died after a dismissed policeman took a busload of tourists hostage on August 23, 2010. A botched police rescue attempt prompted him to open fire on his hostages before he was himself gunned down.

Following the hostage crisis, Hong Kong demanded an apology from the Philippine government, compensation for the families of the victims, punishment of the officials responsible, and improvement for tourist safety.

The Philippine president has consistently refused to make an open apology, saying it is against the Philippines' culture to apologize for any mistake by individuals.