**********************************
In response to media enquiries on a newspaper report in the Philippines alleging that the Chief Executive and the President of the Philippines had agreed to "put behind" the Manila hostage-taking incident during a meeting in Bali, Indonesia, the Chief Executive's Office today (October 11) issued the following statement:
The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, held an official meeting with the President of the Philippines, Mr Benigno Aquino III, on the Manila hostage-taking incident during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting in Bali, Indonesia, on October 7.
The Chief Executive conveyed at the meeting the requests of the victims and the bereaved families of the Manila hostage-taking incident, including requests for a formal apology, compensation, pursuing responsible officials and devising and implementing effective measures to ensure the safety of tourists. He clearly indicated that both sides should take action to resolve the matter.
As a matter of fact, when the President of the Philippines said that the incident had already been resolved from the perspective of the Philippines, the Chief Executive immediately and clearly expressed his disagreement with this argument. The Chief Executive reiterated that the relationship between Hong Kong and the Philippines would continue to be affected if the matter was not properly resolved.
Therefore, the Chief Executive proposed and the President of the Philippines agreed that both sides will assign senior officials to convene official discussion to continue to follow up on the incident.
Ends/Friday, October 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:26
NNNN
