Philippine high-level delegation's trip to Beijing, HK postponed
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The Philippine government's high-level delegation to Beijing and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to brief the Chinese side the hijack crisis was postponed and would be reset soon, senior government official said Thursday.
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, quoting the Department of Foreign Affairs as telling reporters that the Philippine government is "awaiting for the confirmation of the Chinese side on the arrangement that will ensure that the mission of the planned visit is achieved."
He added that appropriate announcement will be made when the visit will take place.
Earlier, Philippine authorities said the high-level delegation composed of Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Lacierda were supposed to leave for Beijing on Thursday and then proceed to Hong Kong on Friday.
The officials will personally deliver President Benigno Aquino III's messages when meeting with Chinese leaders in Beijing and Hong Kong.
The hostage crisis in Manila, involving a 21-member Hong Kong tour group, ended on Monday night with eight hostages killed and several others injured. The dismissed Filipino police officer, who hijacked the tour bus, was also killed during the police assault.
President Bengigno Aquino has said the Monday's hostage-taking drama was "ghastly" and admitted there were "many failures". Aquino and other officials have promised a full investigation. Interior Secretary Jessie Robredo, who is in charge of the national police, has acknowledged there were problems with how the crisis was handled, including inadequacies in preparation, equipment and training.
Residents in Hong Kong expressed outrage at the Philippine government's handling of the day-long bus siege. Echoing calls by the central government in Beijing, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen and Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen have demanded Manila "conduct a comprehensive, thorough and impartial investigation".
