Hostage crisis survivors criticize Philippine government

Aug 22, 2011, 7:56 GMT

Manila - Survivors and relatives of victims of a hostage crisis that killed eight Hong Kong tourists criticized the Philippine government Monday for failing to prosecute officials allegedly responsible for the tragedy.

The relatives and survivors of the August 23, 2010 hostage-taking in a Manila park arrived in the country ahead of the first anniversary of the crisis that played out live on national and international television.

'We come back here to demand justice and to tell the government of the Philippines that we are still angry,' survivor Lee Ying Chuen told a press conference. 'We never even got a phone call or a letter apologizing for what happened. None of us received a word from the government of the Philippines.'

A cashiered police officer seized a bus carrying 25 people, mostly Hong Kong tourists, at a seaside park in Manila in a bid to get his job back.

Nine hostages were freed through negotiations, but the standoff ended in violence when Rolando del Rosario Mendoza began shooting from inside the bus, prompting police to launch an assault.

Eight Hong Kong tourists and Mendoza were killed in the botched rescue.

The survivors and relatives met with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima Monday.

'I agreed to hold this meeting since I am willing to hear their concerns and grievances particularly on the status of the cases filed so far,' De Lima said. 'We have been continuing work for the safety of foreign tourists.'

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government 'recognizes the grief that continues to burden the relatives of the victims.'

'The Filipino people renew their sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims and the people of Hong Kong,' he said.

'The Philippines has undertaken the investigations into official culpability resulting in a dismissal and the filing of administrative charges against four police officials.'

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