HK dismayed by Noy’s no accountability move By Michaela P. del Callar, Aytch S. de la Cruz and Gerry Baldo 10/14/2010 The Chinese and H

 PALACE DEFENDS WATERED-DOWN CHARGES IN BUS HIJACK

HK dismayed by Noy’s no accountability move

By Michaela P. del Callar, Aytch S. de la Cruz and Gerry Baldo 10/14/2010

The Chinese and Hong Kong governments were dismayed by President Aquino’s decision to absolve his close aides and several personalities of any accountability and responsibility in the Aug. 23 Manila hostage tragedy that killed eight Hong Kong tourists.

A diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao was “extremely disappointed” with the outcome of Aquino’s review of the IIRC report, whose sanctions were drastically changed and watered down. The HK government expected the Aquino administration to follow the IIRC recommendations.

The HK government, in a statement Tuesday, said in reaction to Aquino’s whitewash of the charges: “Hong Kong people expect the Philippine Government to handle the question of responsibility of the officials and persons involved in a fair manner, and follow through the required actions seriously. The Philippine Government decided to lessen the recommended actions against the relevant officers named in the first report by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee. The people of Hong Kong, especially the survivors and the victims’ families, will find this hard to accept. The Hong Kong SAR Government is also disappointed. We ask that the Philippine Government follow through the required actions. The eventual actions to be taken against the persons involved must live up to their pledge to be accountable to the public. That is also what is owed to the dead and the injured. We will convey our views to the Philippine Government through proper channels.”.... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20101014hed1.html