Philippine President Benigno Aquino III assured Thursday that the hostage crisis didn't hurt the country's economy.
The botched hostage rescue attempt which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead in Manila on August 23 won't "derail our business and economic prospects," Aquino said in an interview with the country's three largest TV networks.
Aquino said investors remain confident with the country's economy. He cited that outsourcing firm Convergys and business solutions provider IBM are expanding its operations in the country.
Aquino will leave for the U.S. later this month to woo investors. He is confident that he and his team will secure trade deals during the four-day trip.