Justice eventually prevails in the case of the Manila bus hostage crisis
The Manila bus hostage crisis, that happened three years and eight months ago in which eight Hong Kong tourists were killed and another seven injured, has come to a good end yesterday amid the atmosphere of sincerity, regret, commitment and tolerance. The dead now could rest in peace, and the survivors could continue going on with their lives. All Hong Kong people also feel relieved and a tinge of consolation for the conclusion of this tragedy.
On the day of 23rd of August, 2010, citizens clearly saw from TV news broadcast that, when a tourist bus pulled up on a road near Manila's Rizal Park, a gunman hijacked the vehicle with more than two dozen Hong Kong tourists and tour guides aboard. At the moment, many people still thought the incident would be solved quickly. However, the incident had dragged on until about 10.00 p.m. when gunshots went off: Rolando Mendoza, the "Demon Policeman", became madly furious and began to shoot the Hongkongers sitting on their seats one after another... In the aftermath, eight coffins with remains of the killed Hong Kong tourists were shipped back to Hong Kong, received at the airport by the then Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying Yen on behalf of the SAR Government who shed sad tears before media cameras. At that moment, all Hong Kong citizens also felt sad, their eyes moistened: how could it be possible that a happy family going out for sightseeing would have gone through such terrible sufferings? Of the five members of the Leung family, the father and two daughters were killed, leaving to this world the mother and son, Jason, whose head was seriously injured. The lower jaw of Yee Xiao Ling, originally a pretty girl, was shattered by a bullet...
Afterwards, some Philippine government officials' almost cold-blooded talks had further outraged Hong Kong society. Even if the SAR Government had not issued the "Black Travel Alert", no Hongkonger would have wanted to step on that heartbreaking place. What is gratifying is that the surviving families of the killed, the injured and the survivors of the crisis have all showed lofty character and quality. They have taken care of and supported each other, not so much uttering cries of anguish and demanding for financial compensations. Instead they have solemnly asked for the Philippine government to make a public apology and punish concerned officials for neglecting duty, and in this way safeguarded the dignity of the dead and injured. In this regard, family affections shown to (the killed) tour guide Masa Tse Ting Cheunn by his surviving mother and brother were very touching. Mournful yet not distressing, indignant yet not wrathful, they have persevered with their demand for justice for the dead.
During the whole process, Hong Kong society has also withstood a rare test to their conscience and emotions. In the past three years and eight months, all who were interviewed by the media have extended their deepest sympathies to the families of the killed and injured. All have supported them to seek justice from the Philippine government. In the incident, eight Hongkongers lost their lives, but in exchange the loss has led more people to realise how precious life is and the necessity of mutual help.
Today, pressed and demanded by all sectors, the Philippine government has at last committed itself to meeting the four requirements by the victims' families: apology, compensation, sanctions against responsible officials and individuals, and tourist safety measures. This is a victory of the persistent efforts in past more than three years by the surviving families of the killed, the injured and the survivors, and also a victory of the support jointly given by whole Hong Kong society, a victory of conscience, justice and the rule of law. The Philippine government did not have a direct role in the incident. It was Mendoza who opened fires to kill. However, "Although I did not kill Boren, he was killed because of me." Ineffective negotiations and inefficient rescue efforts to leave the crisis hanging in midair, perfunctory and responsibility-shirking red-tapism, selfishness and incapability, all eventually resulted in the bloody ending of the hostage-taking crisis and thus were the major cause for the loss of the lives of eight Hongkongers. Before such a bloody fact, it was not possible for the Philippine government to shirk its responsibility in the end.
On the other hand, with regard to the incident, the SAR Government has repeatedly made representations to the Philippine government, and the Central Government has shown its concern and given its strong support. In particular, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang had pointed out to Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III face to face that the incident "hurts the feelings of all Chinese people." Such very weighty words were the major reason why the Philippine government had eventually to give attention to the demands of the Hong Kong families. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying honoured his words with action to impose sanctions against the Philippines, which also proved effective. Now the curtain could be put down on the Manila bus hostage tragedy.
24 April 2014
