No visa policy yet in HK — Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang clarified yesterday that there is no policy yet requiring Filipinos to obtain visa before entering Hong Kong, although lawmakers from the former British colony voted last week to amend the visa-free access policy.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the removal of the visa-free access for Filipinos is still a proposal.

Valte said the country’s Consulate General in Hong Kong confirmed that there is such a proposal, and HK-bound Filipinos have been advised to monitor the news for updates on the matter.

“I also received queries over the past few days, and there is no visa requirement yet. I also checked the document with the DFA as well as the Consul General in HK, there is no requirement yet,” she said, adding Palace officials will work quietly to address the issue.

The visa requirement proposal was Hong Kong’s apparent retaliation for the refusal of the Philippine government to apologize over the Manila hostage crisis in 2010 that left eight HK tourists dead.

Chinese newspapers reported last week that the Hong Kong legislative council voted 41 to three with seven abstentions in favor of the removal of visa-free access for Filipinos.

Hong Kong officials have long warned about the possible sanctions, including economic barriers against Manila if the latter fails to meet the demands of the victims’ families.

The legislative ruling came after Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying threatened to spoil its relations with Manila for failing to respond to the hostage crisis.

Leung urged Manila to make a timely and concrete response, otherwise the incident would continue to strain ties between the two governments and their respective citizens. His signature on the amendment is the last step to make the travel sanctions final.

Legislative Council official Lai Tung-kwok said in a China Daily report that the suspension of the visa-free entry for Filipinos would not heavily affect Hong Kong affairs.

Over 1,100 Filipinos were recorded to have come to Hong Kong to seek jobs last year, the report said.

Former HK security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee filed the amendment apparently to preserve the dignity of the Hong Kong public.

Observers said that trade sanctions would follow if Manila maintains that the issue is closed. President Aquino had expressed regret over the incident, but declined to apologize to the victims’ families.