As HK imposes sanctions on PHL, Pinoys asked to remain calm

Malacañang on Friday asked Filipinos in Hong Kong to remain calm while the Philippine government attempt to ease the tension brought by the Manila bus hostage crisis three years ago.
 
"Tinatawagan po natin silang lahat na manatiling mahinahon at hindi po dapat sila maligalig dahil ang pamahalaan po ay handang tumulong sa kanila," Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio "Sonny" Coloma Jr. said during a press briefing.
 
"Hindi po nakakalimutan ang kanilang interes at kapakanan at patuloy pong gagawin ang lahat ng nararapat para po maprotektahan po ang kanilang interes," he added.
 
Coloma issued the statement after Hong Kong lawmakers voted to impose economic sanctions on the Philippines and cancel the visa-free access for Filipinos.

But when asked about the specific steps the government will be doing, he just repeated his earlier statement: "Our position remains the same. Both sides are working quietly to address these concerns and reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion."
 
"We are very focused at we are determined po na iyon ang ma-achieve dito sa sitwasyong ito," he said.
 
Coloma likewise said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Consulate General in Hong Kong are doing everything they can to resolve the situation.
 
Last month, President Benigno Aquino III said he told Hong Kong Chief Executive C.Y. Leung during the APEC Summit in Indonesia that the Philippines cannot apologize for the actions of a single individual.
 
He also said the government is ready for any potential backlash from his decision not to issue an apology to HK, including the possible ban of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
 
In August 2010, dismissed police officer Rolando Mendoza seized a tourist bus and held hostage 25 Hong Kong nationals at the Quirino Grandstand. The eight hostages were killed in a botched rescue attempt. — RSJ, GMA News

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