Uh-oh, things were going well in the first couple of days of discussions with Joseph Estrada’s representative Bernardito Ang, but it seems his interview with Cable TV took on a dramatic turn.
When Ang met with Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok he said what’s important is sincerity not the compensation amount to the victim’s families of the Manila hostage tragedy. And Lai did feel Ang’s sincerity on Friday. Read more about it here.
Yesterday however, after Ang met with lawmaker James To Kun-sin, who is representing the families of the Manila hostage tragedy, compensation was discussed and although both parties have decided to keep details of the conversation private, Ang decided to spill all the beans at an interview.
Ang revealed in the interview that the council was ready to pay US$75,000 to the families of the eight Hongkongers killed by Rolando Mendoza. Read about the hostage situation here. The seriously injured would receive US$150,000 and those with less injuries would get US$20,000 to US$25,000.
When asked why Estrada was getting money from Filipino businessmen including those of Chinese descent Ang said, “Our government obviously has money but cannot openly say why we are compensating [the Hong Kong families] so much. If a military solder of our dies while fighting for the country, the family currently gets HK$50,000. Hongkongers get US$75,000. Is that to say a Hongkonger’s life is worth more?”
Ang continued to say, “At first we’re to give them a total US$1 million, then I added in another HK$2 million so the total amount reaches HK$10 million. The representative said it was too little. Let Hong Kong citizens themselves decide on whether this is just.”
Survivors and victims; have been outraged by Ang’s comments, saying he demonstrated insincerity and had the wrong attitude.
Hong Kong lawmaker and former security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said Ang’s offer was “ridiculously low” and that Ang cannot compare the compensation with a Filipino soldier as Hong Kong’s cost of living is much higher. Ip is pushing the government to end visa-free access to the city for Filipinos to force Philippine President Benigno Aquino, who has openly refused to admit blame, to apologise. Read more about it here.
Ang was spotted shopping in Shenzhen yesterday evening. He will arrange a meeting with the press before he heads back to Manila.
Source: SCMP
