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The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
The Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo), Mr Leung Chun-ying, issued a statement today (August 24) on the hostage incident in the Philippines in which Hong Kong people were killed or injured:
"The ExCo Non-official Members and I are deeply saddened and outraged at the hostage incident in the Philippines in which Hong Kong people were killed or injured. We mourn for the Hong Kong people who died in the incident and extend our condolences to their family members. We also wish those who were traumatised and injured a speedy recovery.
The Hong Kong people who risked their lives to protect and help others in the incident are worthy of praise. We condemn the atrocity committed by the culprit, which caused deaths and casualties among innocent Hong Kong people. We strongly urge the Philippine government to give an account of the incident openly, explain the ways the incident was handled, assist fully the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to deal with the aftermath as soon as possible, and ensure the safety of all of the Hong Kong people in the Philippines.
The concern and care shown by the whole community for the Hong Kong tourists held hostage and the solidarity of Hong Kong people are reassuring."
Ends/Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:11
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