Phl gives aid for surgery of HK hostage

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino asked Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras yesterday to go to Hong Kong again and hand over the Philippines’ “additional token of solidarity” to one of the victims of the Manila hostage crisis in 2010.

Almendras’ trip was disclosed through a joint statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Yik Siu Ling, one of the Hong Kong tourists held hostage by a police officer believed to be mentally unstable, was given the amount needed for an urgent surgery.

“President Aquino, having heard of the urgent need of Ms. Yik Siu Ling for surgery, instructed Secretary Almendras to turn over to Hong Kong (SAR) government an additional token of solidarity to defray the cost of imminent surgeries,” the joint statement read.

Almendras and Hong Kong Chief Executive’s Office director Edward Yau were designated representatives to address the four demands of the living victims and their families by Aquino and Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying when the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali, Indonesia on Oct. 7.

Almendras first went to Hong Kong on Oct. 21 and updated the Hong Kong government on the progress of Philippines’ efforts to address the four demands of the hostage victims and their families.

The undisclosed amount was donated by Filipino businessmen “as a manifestation of the Filipinos’ humane consideration of the plight of victims and their families,” the statement said.

The businessmen also hoped that the donation would not compromise the ongoing ministerial level discussions on the demands.

“Both sides are confident that through continuous efforts, the discussions will achieve the objective set out by President Aquino and Chief Executive CY Leung,” the statement said.