With Manila hostage row over, Pinoys in HK eye further contributions

With the tension from the Manila hostage crisis finally over, Filipinos in Hong Kong are raring to work and contribute to the special administrative region's economy.

This was according to the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, which assured the Filipino workers of protection of their rights and welfare.

“The Filipino Community looks forward to contributing further to the economy of Hong Kong and the Consulate will continue to work even closer with the Hong Kong government to protect the rights and welfare of Filipinos here," it said.

It added Hong Kong is host to close to 180,000 Filipino professionals and household workers, “whose diligence and professionalism, have been recognized by the Hong Kong government and business community.”

The Philippine Consulate General also said the development earlier this week was a positive step in strengthening the Philippines’ ties with Hong Kong.

Last Wednesday, Hong Kong downgraded its black travel alert against the Philippines after a Philippine delegation led by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada presented an apology for the 2010 Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis.

Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed along with a dismissed policeman who took them hostage, following a botched rescue operation on Aug. 23, 2010.

The incident prompted Hong Kong to impose sanctions such as the black travel warning—the most severe in its travel warning system—as well as the revocation of the visa-free privileges for government officials.

With Wednesday's development, Hong Kong also reinstated the visa-free privileges for Philippine officials. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News

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