30 August 2010 / AP, HONG KONG
Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers marched on Sunday in honor of eight locals killed in a bus hijacking in Manila, denouncing the Philippine government for botching the rescue operation and demanding justice for the dead.
The Philippine president has “begged for understanding” and ordered a thorough investigation into the Aug. 23 incident, but that has done little to stem growing anger in this wealthy southern Chinese territory where violent crime is a rarity. About 20 Hong Kong legislators led the crowd gathered at an urban park in a short ceremony honoring the dead before setting off on a march to the Central financial district. Police didn’t estimate the size of the crowd, but organizers said about 80,000 people took part. “That 80,000 people can show up in such a short period of time -- it shows the anger and unity of the Hong Kong people,” lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong said. Former Philippine police officer Rolando Mendoza commandeered a bus carrying a 20-member Hong Kong tour group visiting Manila last week, hoping to reverse his dismissal from the force on what he said were bogus robbery and extortion charges. He released several children and elderly hostages early in the 12-hour standoff broadcast live on television, but later opened fire on the tourists.
