HK vows to seek justice for hostage victims

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung said Tuesday in Beijing that the Hong Kong government will seek justice for the families of the victims and injured people in the Hong Kong hostage crisis in Manila, the Philippines, three years ago, according to a statement on the Hong Kong government website.

Leung made the remarks in response to a resolution by Manila's City Council on Tuesday requesting the city government to apologize to the people of Hong Kong for the 2010 crisis that left eight Hong Kong people dead.

The Hong Kong chief, who just arrived at Beijing to attend a symposium on Wednesday, said he learned the resolution when stepping down the plane and he will inform the public when any achievement is made.

Leung said with the support of China's central government, they have been contacting the Philippine government in the last two weeks and will keep doing that to seek justice for the families of the victims and those who got injured in the tragedy.

He emphasized that the Hong Kong government will also keep in touch with the relatives of the victims and the injured, and their opinions will be respected.

Philippine media reported that the council hopes the apology will mend the strained relationship between Hong Kong and Manila.

Survivors and relatives of the victims have been pushing for a formal apology and compensation for three years. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, however, said earlier this month that he would not apologize, adding there was one lone gunman responsible for this tragedy.