Philippines looks to repair relations after tourist shooting

Shirley Escalante, Zulfikar Abbany

Last Updated: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:12:00 +1000

The Philippine government says it will strive to repair relations with Hong Kong and China after a gunman killed eight Hong Kong tourists.

A former policeman held the passengers on a tourist bus hostage for 11-hours until commandos stormed it and he was shot dead.

President Benigno Aquino says he has instructed his foreign affairs secretary to talk to officials of Hong Kong and China to assuage any dismay on the hostage siege.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila has issued a statement condemning the atrocity and requesting assistance from the Philippine government in dealing with the aftermath of the siege.

The Chinese Embassy also asked the Philippines to ensure the safety of the Chinese people in its territory.

Meanwhile, the Philippines' tourism minister Alberto Lim has repeated assurances that law and order has not broken down in Manila.

Mr Lim is at pains to stress that Monday's hostage standoff was an isolated incident.

He is trying to reassure tourists - especially those from China and Hong Kong - that the capital is safe and that it's not like the south, where separatists are known for kidnapping for ransom.

"The breakdown of law and order you might say is the situation in the south but here in Manila it is just one person who acted in this way and this happens in other societies too," he said.

But Mr Lim admits he may have over reacted when he said there would be regional media campaign to address fears among tourists and governments.

However the Philippine, Hong Kong and Chinese governments are in talks.

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