Aquino gov’t liable to HK nationals and Pinoys for hostage mishandling

For its gross mishandling of the August 23 hostage crisis, the government of Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is liable to both Hong Kong nationals and the Filipino people.

While Pres. Aquino has “begged for understanding” from the people of Hong Kong for the death of eight of their compatriots, his government has yet to recognize the negative implications of its mishandling of the hostage crisis to the Filipino people. 

Filipino migrants in Hong Kong, who were forced to work abroad due to the government’s lack of a genuine employment program and its labor-export policy, and who have been receiving little protection from the government, are now targets of discrimination.

By continuing to wash its hands of any responsibility for the bloody conclusion to the hostage crisis, the Aquino government is displaying its uncaring attitude towards Filipino migrants in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

It should have realized, within the 10 hours of the hostage crisis, the possible negative consequences of what was unfolding to Filipino OFWs.

Had the Aquino government had a genuine concern for what former President Cory Aquino called “bagong bayani,” it should have intervened directly, immediately and effectively into the hostage crisis and spared Filipino migrants the predictably negative backlash of the worst-case scenario.

We condemn the Aquino government for its gross mishandling of the hostage crisis. We unite with Hong Kong nationals and Filipino migrant workers in Hong Kong, as well as the peoples of the world, in calling for justice for the victims of the hostage crisis.