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Philippines Hostage Crisis Survivors Return to Hong Kong

   VOA News 25 August 2010
   Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao, center, watches as
   crates  containing the coffins of Hong Kong tourists are loaded onto a
   chartered Cathay Pacific plane

Photo: AP

   Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao, center, watches as
   crates  containing the coffins of Hong Kong tourists are loaded onto a
   chartered Cathay Pacific plane bound for Hong Kong at the Ninoy Aquino
   International Airport in Manila, Philippines, 25 Aug 2010

   Survivors  of  Monday's  bungled hostage crisis in the Philippines are
   home in Hong Kong.
   A  special Cathay Pacific flight landed after nightfall Wednesday with
   members  of  the  Hong  Kong  tour  party  whose  bus  was seized by a
   disgruntled former police officer.
   Flag-draped  bodies  of  the  victims were also on board.  Two people
   were too seriously injured to take the flight.
   In  Manila,  officials observed a day of mourning for the eight people
   killed  by  Roberto Mendoza as a worldwide television audience watched
   in horror.  There were 16 survivors, including nine who were released
   before the shooting started.
   Several  senior  police  officers  were  placed  on  leave  pending an
   investigation of the police handling of the crisis.
   The  Philippine  interior  minister  has  admitted  the SWAT team that
   handled the case was inadequately trained and equipped.
   Questions  are also being raised about the decision to allow Mendoza's
   brother, also a policeman, to participate in the negotiations.
   Reports  say  Mendoza  began  shooting  his hostages after watching on
   television  from  the  bus as his brother wrestled with other officers
   who were trying to disarm him.
   Philippine   President   Benigno   Aquino  met  Tuesday  with  Chinese
   Ambassador  Liu  Jiancho  to  promise  a full investigation.  He also
   spoke  by  telephone  with Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang, who
   complained of being unable to reach Mr. Aquino during the incident.
   Both  China  and  Hong Kong have urged their citizens not to travel to
   the  Philippines,  dealing  a  potential blow to the country's tourism
   industry.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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