Police conduct a forensic examination of the tourist bus hijacked in Manila August 23.
Hong Kong has expressed disappointment with the mismanagement of the Philippines
government over the death of eight of its nationals in a hostage drama in Manila.
Hong Kong is demanding explanations from the Philippines authorities about their indecisive
and slow handling of the shootout, BBC reported on Tuesday.
On Monday a dismissed policeman Rolando Mendoza armed with an automatic rifle seized a
bus carrying 25 tourists in the Philippines capital Manila in an effort to be reinstated. Following initial
successful negotiations and the release of nine of the hostages, the disgruntled former police officer
opened fire on his hostages. The police stormed the bus about 20 minutes later. There is speculation as
to why the police failed to enter the bus before the eight tourists were shot dead. Hong Kong officials
have issued a travel warning urging all flights to the Philippines to be cancelled. The warning also calls
on Hong Kong nationals to leave the Philippines as soon as possible. Flags are flying at half-mast in
Hong Kong to commemorate the victims as the stock exchange observed a minute's silence for the hijack
victims. The survivors of the incident were chartered to Hong Kong via two planes accompanied by
doctors and counselors. The Philippines President Benigno Aquino has admitted that there were
deficiencies in the operation, promising a "thorough investigation" into the incident.
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