Hong Kong officials criticised over Manila hostage deaths

The families of eight Hong Kong tourists who were killed in a Philippine bus hijacking last year accused Hong Kong authorities Thursday of not doing enough to help them win compensation.

Reuters/Cheryl Ravelo

At a rally outside the city’s legal department, relatives of the tourists called for the government to fund a lawsuit against the Philippines government.

The demonstration comes a year after a bungled rescue attempt of the hostages in Manila sparked a diplomatic meltdown between the Philippines and Hong Kong.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has been criticised for calling for minor charges to be filed against those that carried out the failed rescue. He has been accused of protecting friends and allies.

The rescue attempt was carried out last August when police officers stormed the bus and shot dead lone gunman Rolando Mendoza. During the rescue bid eight hostages were killed.