Apology for Manila hostage crisis long overdue- law expert

MANILA - International law professor Atty. Howard Calleja sees nothing wrong with the Manila City government's plan to apologize to Hong Kong for the 2010 Manila hostage crisis. Eight Hong Hong tourists were killed in that incident. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada will personally visit Hong Kong and will bring with him a formal letter of apology. Calleja said the apology is long overdue. Meanwhile, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno said Estrada aims to raise 10 to 20 million Hong Kong dollars or about P60 to P120 million for the families of the victims. He said the money will not come from the city's funds but will be raised from Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Manila as well as Chinese residents in Hong Kong and mainland China. Moreno said Estrada's decision to apologize is meant to bring Hong Kong tourists back to Manila. ANC Dateline Philippines, October 25, 2013