Trip of high-level delegation cancelled (5:13 p.m.)

MANILA -- The flight of high-level delegation formed by the President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to explain Monday’s hostage crisis to China and Hong Kong governments has been cancelled Thursday.

The members of the high-level delegation composing Vice President Jejomar Binay, Local Government Secretary, Jesse Robredo and Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda were supposed to fly to Beijing, China today.

But in a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, it said that they are still awaiting for the confirmation from the Chinese government.

“The Philippine government has planned for a high-level delegation to visit the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong Special Administration Region, and is awaiting confirmation from the Chinese side on the arrangement that will ensure that the mission of the planned visit is achieved,” text message from the DFA forwarded by Palace Ricky Carandang read.

It added that proper announcement will be made regarding the schedule of the trip. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)