HK chief: Apology need not come from PNoy

MANILA, Philippines - Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung on Tuesday insisted on an apology from the Philippines over the 2010 Manila hostage crisis, and said it may not necessarily come from President Benigno Aquino III.

Leung clarified that the victims and the families of the eight Hong Kong tourists who died in the botched police rescue operation are asking for a formal apology from the Philippine government.

"The victims and their families are not demanding and have never demanded a personal apology from the Philippine President for the criminal act committed by an individual as some have alleged," he said in a press conference Tuesday.

"They are seeking an apology from the Philippine government for the failure and lapses of their officials in handling the rescue operation, during which eight Hong Kong residents lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries," Leung added.

The leader of the Chinese special administrative region also said that he would not hesitate to issue further penalties against the Philippines.

"I urge the Philippine Government to demonstrate sincerity and resolve in bringing the discussion to a satisfactory conclusion so that we do not have to implement further sanctions," Leung said.

Hong Kong has recently lifted the 14-day visa-free access of Philippine officials as a sanction for the country's refusal to fulfill demands of the victims.

Read: Reasons why the Philippines won't apologize to HK

Leung said that the victims' request are "consistent" with the National Bureau of Investigation's findings that local officials and corresponding police officers should be held liable for the deadly conclusion of the hostage drama in Manila.

"The door to further discussions between the two sides remains open and the ball is in the Philippines' court," Leung said.

Besides the Philippines' apology, the victims and their families are demanding that they be compensated in amounts greater that what Filipino families of killed Filipino soldiers receive.