MANILA -- President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will personally call Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald Tsang regarding the bloody hostage crisis involving Hong Kong nationals Monday.
Aquino is expected to explain to the Hong Kong official what happened during the carnage carried out by disgruntled cop Rolando Mendoza.
Citing police report, Monday’s incident led to the death of eight tourists. The hostage-taker was also killed.
Tsang was said to be upset with President Aquino when he was apparently unreachable at the height of the crisis.
Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda explained that Aquino was in a closed-door meeting with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) when Tsang was trying to reach him for details.
He pointed out that the President was closely monitoring the incident and decided not to give comments careful not to aggravate the situation.
In the talk with Tsang, Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang said the President is expected to reiterate his sympathy to the Chinese government and regret how the hostage crisis came to an unfortunate end.
Aquio will also personally meet with Chinese ambassador about the crisis.
Vice President Jejomar Binay and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa were the ones who welcomed the envoy upon his arrival at the airport this afternoon.
A wreath laying was conducted at the Quirino Grandstand for the victims of the carnage.
Prayer vigils will also be held at various areas in the country such as in Edsa Shrine, Plaza Sugbo in Cebu, and People’s Park in Davao City. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)