HK relatives mourn Philippine bus slaughter

Relatives of eight Hong Kong tourists killed in a Philippine bus hostage fiasco cried out for justice as they returned to the site of the slaughter Tuesday for an emotional one-year anniversary ceremony.

Monks in saffron robes lit incense and offered food and drinks on a makeshift altar on the pavement of Manila's Rizal park where the hijacked bus stood for 11 hours before a bungled rescue attempt led to the bloodbath.

Last year's chaos was replaced by a peaceful atmosphere, the mournful hymns and chants of the monks broken only by the the rapid shutter clicks from the cameras of a Hong Kong press contingent.

"We will never forget the pain," said Tse Chi Kin, whose brother Masa Tse Ting-chunn, was the tour guide on the bus and was among those slain.

He said the family came back seeking closure of sorts, but they had largely failed after President Benigno Aquino rejected their appeal to meet with them and personally apologise.

"It has been one year, but we have not received any apology -- not an email, not a letter, not even a call," he sobbed.

He reiterated a demand for an apology from Aquino as well as monetary compensation for their suffering.

Tse was joined by another brother, his grieving mother, and survivor Lee Ying Cheum, who said she was still recovering from deep mental trauma after escaping what she had initially thought was certain death.

"We trusted the government to save us. We were wrong," Lee said.

"We are still angry (because) families were torn apart, children were orphaned."

Hostage taker Roland Mendoza was a decorated Manila police officer sacked over corruption allegations, who seized the bus in a crazed bid to be reinstated.

As the drama unfolded live on television, police stormed the vehicle and shot Mendoza dead, but eight hostages also died during the rescue attempt.

The incident triggered public outrage in Hong Kong, which maintains a travel advisory on the Philippines.

Aquino ordered an investigation into the incident, but was criticised in Hong Kong after only minor punishments were handed out to four policeman, while senior officials accused of incompetence escaped without sanction.

As the the relatives left after the ceremony Tuesday, one of the two police negotiators involved in last year's drama walked to the altar and offered a prayer.

"I feel regret. I needed to say sorry to them (the victims)," Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador said.

"We did not fully fulfill our job. We should have done better."
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.