It's over, hopefully

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has finally accepted the apology of the hostage-taking incident and its botched rescue attempt that left eight Hong Kong tourists already on their way back home killed by Rolando Mendoza, the dismissed police officer. Mendoza himself was killed in the gunfight. After months of discussion, often times heated with accompanying threats of sanctions, both the government and the families of the hostages accepted the "sorrowful regret and profound sympathy, and most sincere condolences" offered by several officials of the Philippine government, most notably former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Sec. Rene Almendras who represented the Palace, and PNP Director Gen. Alan Purisima. So we can finally say, it's over, hopefully.

Of course, the topic of coin had to come up. According to initial reports, the families of those killed in the incident would receive HK$1.5 million while those injured would get HK$3 million. Although Sec. Almendras has said that the exact amount to be given to each family would differ, as some were wary of accepting money, while some would. Suffice it to say that money will be given out that came from the national government along with donations from private groups and individuals. Sanctions were immediately lifted, in particular the canceling of visa-free entries by Philippine government officials and removing the Philippines from its blacklist advisory for its residents wanting to travel. All in all, a good day. But OFWs have much more to celebrate, as they were at the forefront of whatever Hong Kong would do.

We have to give it to Mayor Estrada for his initiative on the matter. The Palace acknowledges that. The fact that the mayor of the city where it occurred spearheaded the mending of ties was appreciated by the families. Hopefully this day would mark the return to a complete normalization of ties between the two countries. A win-win scenario for all.

We are also close to coming to a fishing agreement with Taiwan. You would recall the most unfortunate incident at the Balintang Channel where a Taiwanese fishing boat was fired upon by a Philippine Coast Guard vessel. A fisherman was killed, sparking a deluge of hate and protests from Taiwan, coupled with some seething sanctions that would affect political and economic ties between the two countries. A fishing agreement on common waters would be most welcome.

We have already mended ties with Taiwan and Hong Kong. But there is still China. No surprises there. How I wish we could have a similar agreement with regards to harvesting the bounties of the sea without threats, and a blanket claim on the whole ocean. But it would take more than a friendly trip to Beijing to settle this one.