Hostage crisis in photos [Philippines]

PHILIPPINE security forces stormed a bus packed with Hong Kong tourists on Monday to end a dramatic hostage crisis that unfolded live on global television, leaving eight people and the gunman dead.

Catch the unfolding day-long drama which began when a disgruntled ex-policeman armed with an M-16 assault rifle and dressed in combat pants hijacked the bus in Manila's tourist district in a desperate bid to get his job back, in this special photo gallery.

via Strait times Singapore

China condemns Manila hijack

MANILA - CHINA on Tuesday strongly condemned a Philippine bus hijacking that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead as an 'atrocity', and urged Manila to ensure Chinese citizens are safe.

The Chinese embassy said: 'The Chinese government strongly condemns the atrocity by the hostage-taker, expresses grave condolences to the victimised Hong Kong compatriots and conveys profound sympathy to the bereaved families.'

'The Chinese side has urged the Philippine side to take concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of the Chinese citizens in the Philippines,' it said in a statement.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino said early on Tuesday that he has sent an apology to Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang for what had happened, adding that he has ordered the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to extend all possible assistance to the victims.

The president made the remarks at a press conference after meeting with police officials and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, reported Xinhua news agency.

Philippine hostage crisis ended here on Monday night with eight hostages were killed, seven injured, one of whom is in critical conditions, Philippine government officials said. -- AFP

Bloodbath dominates HK media

HONG KONG - LURID photographs of the bloodbath dominated the front pages of the Hong Kong press on Tuesday, with a few Chinese-language newspapers changing their mast-head colour from red to black in mourning.

Editorials echoed the southern Chinese territory's leader in querying the response of Philippine authorities. 'The way it is handled - particularly the outcome - is very disappointing,' Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters late on Monday.

Newspapers bemoaned missed opportunities to end the siege much earlier, including when the gunman - a disgraced former senior police inspector - had waved from the bus door.

'A large group of police failed to get into the bus after surrounding the vehicle for nearly half an hour,' the Hong Kong Economic Journal said, adding: 'Their appalling professional standards, and the lack of strategic planning, made observers both angry and sad. This tragedy could have been avoided'.

Also noting the length of time it took Manila police commandos to intervene, the Apple Daily said: 'It makes people question the competence of the police.' The Standard said Philippine authorities must be held to account. 'What went so terribly wrong?' the English-language daily said.

'What did the gunman tell police during the negotiations? What was the response from the police? The Hong Kong government must also demand that Manila provide answers for the many questions'. -- AFP

Nakakatawa ang mga pulis tingnan

Nakakatawa ang mga pulis tingnan na nagkukumpulan sa isang tabi.
Di ganito ang mga napapanood ko sa action movies ah!
haaaaay!

Fury in HK over carnage

A woman from Hong Kong cries as she enters a hospital to visit her relative who was wounded during Monday's hostage drama in Manila, Philippines. -- PHOTO: AP

HONG KONG - THE Philippines faced fury in Hong Kong on Tuesday as the territory plunged into mourning for eight tourists mown down in Manila, with flags at half-mast and share traders holding a minute's silence.
One survivor of Monday's day-long bus siege said her husband and two daughters were killed in a hail of bullets as the crisis reached a dramatic climax.
Her son was in intensive care in hospital, said the survivor, identifying herself only as Mrs Leung.
'The Philippine government.... I can't accept this. Why did they do this to us? The gunman did not want to kill us. He only shot us after the negotiations failed,' she said, sobbing.
The Hong Kong government has added the Philippines on its travel 'black' list, urging all against travelling there.
Two Cathay Pacific flights were also charted to take relatives of the hostages, as well as psychologists, doctors and social workers, to Manila. -- AFP