Erap invites Hong Kong tourists to Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Mayor Joseph Estrada invited yesterday tourists from Hong Kong and China to visit Manila, assuring them that the 2010 hostage crisis, which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead, will not happen on his watch.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada also said he is raising funds to compensate the families of the eight tourists killed by dismissed former policeman Rolando Mendoza.

“I am inviting the Chinese and Hong Kong nationals to have their vacation and tour in Manila. I assure them that they will be safe here,” he said.

Estrada said Manila Councilor Bernie Ang, a resident of Binondo, has handed over to the Chinese officials a resolution by the city council of Manila apologizing for the incident.

“The apology was widely welcomed and accepted by the Chinese, particularly by Hong Kong nationals. I got an interview from many Hong Kong journalists on Friday. My trip there to personally give my apology is still under negotiation. But definitely, I will be there within the year. Beijing is a sister city… of Manila,” Estrada said.

He said the apology is necessary to avoid economic repercussions such as the possibility of Filipinos in Hong Kong losing their jobs.