The current standoff with Hongkong is an example of the danger of ignorance, power, and pride combined. As American minister Robert Fulghum said in his book,All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, “Ignorance and power and pride are a deadly mixture, you know.”
The sanction, which does not cover Filipinos who are going to Hongkong as tourists, is still over the Aug. 23, 2010 hostage- taking where eight Hongkong residents were killed after a disgruntled and desperate Filipino policeman hostaged a bus-load of Hongkong tourists at the Rizal Park in Manila.
In response, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Secretary Raul Hernandez issued the government position of no apology, just regret.
Hernandez mentioned about “ generous offering” by the Philippine government to the victims’ families but, he said, “ a total renegotiation has been opened by the Hong Kong SAR Government to seek a demand for an apology which the Philippines, as a sovereign nation, is not prepared to consider. Our Nation has already expressed its deepest regret and condolences over the incident and we are preparing to reiterate this.”
For the Aquino government, Hernandez said, “substantive closure on the Quirino Grandstand Incident had already been arrived at three years ago with the previous Hong Kong SAR Government and the victims as well as their families.
“A renewed appeal for compassion was directly made to our government last October 2013. We responded to this appeal without equivocation and in a most generous manner. Additional tokens of solidarity have therefore been pledged by the Filipino people at the behest of the Philippine government. These amounts that are being offered are substantially more than those that have been previously accepted by the victims and their families. We have been made to understand that the victims and their families have agreed to this offer.”
The Aquino government apparently does not get, or refuses to accept, what the Hongkong government had been saying the past three years: “It’s not the money. It’s the act of apologizing that we want to see because that will prove that you are really sorry for what happened.”
President Aquino has a somewhat warped reason why his government is not apologizing to Hongkong for what has been seen by the whole world on TV as the greatest show of government incompetence in handling a crisis.
On the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali, Indonesia, Hongkong’s Leung met with Aquino and reiterated their demand for an apology saying that in their culture, , they apologize for unfortunate incidents in their territory involving other nationals even though the government is not directly responsible.
Aquino said, “So sabi ko, that’s your culture. You practice those, that’s your system. But in our system iyong… we cannot admit wrongdoing if it’s not ours… From our perspective, there is one lone gunman responsible for this tragedy.”
It must really be difficult for Aquino to admit that it was his government’s bungling of the rescue operations that caused the death of the eight Hongkong tourists.
If he would care to read again the report of the De Lima-led Incident Investigation and Review Committee of the hostage taking, he would see the words “incompetence” and phrases “neglect of duty” mentioned several times referring to officials of the government.
Leung said lifting of visa- free privileges for government officials is just the “first phase of sanctions” and said they may take more action if it thought it could be “effective” in securing an apology over the hostage-taking.
Actually this “first phase of sanctions” is a downgraded version of what was approved by the Hongkong Legislative Council last November which was removal of visa-free access for Filipinos. They apparently thought of its adverse effect on their tourism.
Filipino officials are confident Hongkong would not stop the employment of Filipino domestic helpers, who number about 150,000. The Chinese know the folly of cutting off your nose to spite your face.
It’s the Philippine officials who need to be reminded that “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
That’s from Proverbs 11:2.
Pnoy does not want to say “I Am Sorry” for fear of being hated by the people like what happened to GMA on that “Hello Garci” 🙂
Seriously, maybe Pnoy and his government are cautious to directly apologize due to legal implications. To apologize is to admit; and to admit means being liable to many things including monetary settlement.
You committed a mistake, you pay for it. That’s the rule in life.
Besides the compensation part can be dealt with (in fact it has already been taken care of by the private sector) with a little creativity.
Speaking of pride, the Chinese have too much pride too. To them, respect is very important. Consider their culture, traditions; but do we have to bow down too low just to please them?
Erap apologized on behalf of the people of Manila since he’s the current Mayor. Former Mayor Lim messed up and did not even apologize and he’s even a Tsinoy. Erap got lots of criticism for apologizing but we gotta give it to the man who meant well. After all, many Chinese are residents of Manila and control the businesses.
The issue like many other issues has its pros and cons. At the end of the day, we do what’s is best for the Filipinos and not just for the Chinese. Do we need the Chinese? Certainly. They’re already here and controlling everything from business to politics.
Interesting that you cast this 180 degrees differently than I did in my blog this morning. I tend to see you “in the hunt” for President Aquino, and this is lined up as yet another criticism of a President who can do no right in your eyes.
I view it from the standpoint of China pushing across Asian seas as aggressively as she can push, and will only stop when walls are placed that she can’t get around. The Philippines took China to ITLOS regarding China’s infringement in the Philippine exclusive economic zone, and this has enraged authoritarian China. China will take every step she can to portray the Philippines as a negligent troublemaker, to try to get around this barrier.
Bowing to Hong Kong portrays the Philippines as weak and I think that just encourages China. The Philippines is sorry for the incident, and expressed that to the families of those killed and injured. A demanded state-to-state apology is political gamesmanship on the back of tragedy. I don’t like it.
The risks are huge either way, apology or not.
Because China is a thug. Not because the Philippines is prideful.
It’s bluff. It’s power play. We could speculate as to what China’s real intentions are; but it’s always good to look back at her history. China herself was a victim of foreign aggression and invasions. China shall never forget “Opium War” when the country became a meat being eaten by a group of hungry wolves that resulted in giving away some territories. China shall never forget the “Rape of Nanking” and the Japs’ long history of attacking China. Hence, China hates Japan the most. If war breaks out, it’s most likely between China and Japan. China’s only testing how US would react in South China Sea to anticipate America’s actions if a battle between China and Japan becomes inevitable. For one thing, there are just too many local Chinese and newly arrived Chinese in the Philippines. Attacking the Philippines is like attacking her own Chinese people. No bad blood between China and the Philippines. Many Tsinoy martyrs gave up their lives joining the Filipinos against Spaniards, Americans and Japanese.
From a Sleeping Dragon, China is now an aggressive Dragon ready to face anyone. Is China a bully? Yes. Is China a thug? Yes. Is China going to war? Not really. It all comes down to politics and prove who’s now the boss. China believes that the West belongs to the West including America and Asia belongs to Asians. No Western country has business meddling in Asia. The reality is, the US is no longer the Super Power in this 21st Century. The US is no longer the Super Cop of the world. China is slowly replacing Uncle Sam…or has already replaced the latter.
It’s the Philippine officials who need to be reminded that “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
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That’s a mistaken perspective. It is not simple pride that prevents the president from issuing a formal state apology. It is the fact that what happened was not a state atrocity.
The state did not take the lives of those people.
The state failed to save them and one of its agencies made a lot of mistakes. That does not make it a fault of the entire government.
One can say that the Philippines is just showing pride in refusing to apologize (for a fault that it did not do). But taking the opposite position, it can be said that Hong Kong’s demand for an apology is nothing more than arrogance on their part – a way of forcing the Philippines to bow to its dictates.
As far as I know, no country has apologized for the crimes committed by one of its citizens against the citizen(s) of another.
So why should the Philippines be made to do so?
I presume Hongkong acted upon China’s order since HK is now part or has been returned to China. I could even suspect that it’s connected to China’s claim of South China Sea.
aquino is the last person i would blame for the luneta fiasco. i want fred lim’s head.
mayor erap has indicated he is willing to apologize for the luneta incident. pero HK wants aquino or the national govt to do it so mas malaki ang compensation na makukuha ng mga HK lawyers para sa victim clients nila. kung mayor lang magaapologize, barya barya lang ang compensation nila. manila is bankrupt.
@johnmarzan,
http://raissarobles.com/2013/11/11/ex-mayor-alfredo-lim-could-offer-his-head-on-a-plate-to-resolve-the-luneta-hostage-standoff/comment-page-1/#comment-118805
Prof Clarita Carlos said threats of more sanctions should not be the basis for the Philippines’ apology to China but because it has a “deep understanding of the situation.”
“Ang pag so sorry kasi ay tanda ng malalim na pag-unawa sa isang bagay o event. Ang pag so sorry ay hindi ibig sabihin ay mababawasan ka. Yun ang tingin ng iba e,” Carlos said.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/03/14/prof-lectures-palace-spokesman-stop-quibbling-apology
John #8 and 9, and Joe #3 Aquino did not heed the recommendations of the IIRC to punish officials that bungled the hostage-taking. One of them was Mayor Lim. Under the principle of command responsibility, he should be made responsible for bungled incident. He chose to take the blame to save Lim. That is why the burden is on him. It’s his choice.
Refusing to offer an apology if needed is a sign of immaturity. Magkarun ba naman tayo ng isip kwan na pangulo, e ganyan nga ang mangyayari.
Not just former Mayor Lim, also DILG Usec Puno who had authority over PNP. One has to understand the culture and custom of the Chinese where humility is very much valued and appreciated.
Why do they insist that the President should be the one apologizing? We tried to rescue the hostages but we failed so thats it. Did the chinese premier apologize when Fiipino tourists were killed in beijing? No. So why insist? You think their SWAT team could have done better? Maybe so. Maybe not. Too bad. Next time check before you visit any country.
Jake #14, If you think the Aquino government should not be faulted for the handling of the Rizal Park hostage taking, so be it. Good Luck!
#14 Jake, you got a point but some here don’t agree. To apologize or not, it has become a debatable question. At the end of the day, it’s what benefits the Filipino people and country that should be considered.
It did benefit the Filipino people! We can still go to Hong Kong visa free for 14 days and our so called leaders have to ask for permission! Lol! Whoa, now they have to beg to be able to get in! Boy, that’s a big problem for some who kept their loot in that place! Joke!!
@Mannie, “One has to understand the culture and custom of the Chinese where humility is very much valued and appreciated.” You don’t see much humility emanating from China regarding its neighbors, or do you agree it is a humble practice to claim seas that lie within the UN-defined Philippine EEZ? It seems to me a nation practiced in humility would comprehend why the Philippines was forced to take the mater to the UN court. In fact, a humble nation would join the Philippines . . . or never push the matter so far that it requires an international protest. China ADVOCATES humility, as long as it is others practicing it.
#18 Allow me to clarify. What I meant was humility’s a virtue not just limited to the Chinese but to all people. For instance, there’s a quarrel between husband and wife or between friends. Regardless of who’s at fault, when one apologizes it eases the tension and settles score. Of course sincerity is another thing. If one apologizes for the sake of apologizing just to please the other person and this person knows you’re insincere, it could becomes worse.
@Mannie, China does not practice much humility in claiming seas that reside within the Philippine EEZ, or calling the Philippines a troublemaker for taking the matter to UN court. China expects humility from other nations, to bow to the great Center of the World.
@Ellen, I agree that President Aquino did not follow-up on punishments and had he, the matter might not be as shrill. But that was not prideful, that was loyalty to his political pals, and loyalty is a trait practiced by just about all powerful Filipinos. And a state-to-state apology would weaken the Philippines, it seems to me, given the pushing and shoving taking place between China and other nations.
Give an inch, and China will take it . . .
#20 So, you mean China’s being selective as to which nation “humility” applies.
I agree that Pnoy has too much pride; lacks leadership and experience. However, he could have been ill advised. Remember he has his close advisers with DFA being the department that handles foreign relationship.
Mannie,#21. A leader cannot blame bad advisers for his faulty decisions and actions because in the first place, who hired those advisers? The burden still goes back to the leader.
Command responsibility is the essence of leadership.
responsibility in taking command from political allies in order to protect erring supporters is the true essence of a leader who won a mandate from the people whose welfare he should least think of.
that is the legacy being developed and to be left behind by the aquino administration.
tsk. tsk. tsk.
#22. Tumpak, “The buck stops here”!
Kay Pnoy, ‘the suck stops here’.
It sucks!
Don’t be fooled by HK’s status as SAR. Walang sariling diskarte ang HK.
Walang nagiging chief executive ang HK na hindi inaprove muna ng Beijing.
Nagkaroon na ba ng anti-Beijing chief executive ang HK?
Meron bang chief executive ang HK na bumanat sa leadership ng China na tumira sa lack of freedom doon at sa sobrang corruption ng party leaders sa Beijing?
HK’s foreign policy towards the Philippines is dictated by Beijing. HK’s chief executive takes his orders from Beijing. He does as Beijing wishes, he has never and will never go against Beijing’s wishes. He will never act independent of Beijing. Walang sariling diskarte ang leadership ng HK.
And so it is Beijing that gains, not HK, if Aquino apologizes.
Nobody in the HK government questions the sovereignty of China over their city unlike Taiwan where there are a good number of people who see their country as independent despite the world’s acceptance of China’s sovereign claim over it.
I would say sige mag apologize ang presidente sa HK pero bilang ganti kasi alam naman natin na ang kamay sa likod ng HK ay Beijing and ibalik ng gobyerno natin sa Beijing ay recognition of Taiwan’s independence.
Ang isyu ay hindi kung dinidiktahan ng Beijing ang Hongkong (iisa lang naman yan. Ang Hongkong ay parte ng China) kungdi dapat bang mag-apologize si Aquino sa Hongkong sa kapabayaan ng pamahalaan noong hostage-taking sa Rizal Park.
Is Aquino accountable for the bungling of the police and other officials? If yes, then apologize.
If no, LABAN!
Number 20: “Give an inch, and China will take it . . .”
LABAN!
Madam Ellen, “command responsibility is the essence of leadership”. That’s it. Pnoy lacks leadership.
HK is no longer under the control of the Brits. Therefore, their policies and actions are dictated by China. If Pnoy apologizes to HK, then he’s apologizing to China which he apparently does not want.
I said it’s a debatable issue. When we demanded Japan to apologize because of the comfort women victims, Japan did not apologize. When some Filipino tourists (doctors) were killed by Chinese terrorists, China did not apologize. So, why should Pnoy apologize? On the other hand, apologizing does not make one a lesser man. It’s an act of compassion and humility.
I expect lots of pressures Malacanang ang Pnoy are getting from church groups these days to apologize. El Shaddai, JIL and INC have lots of members and congregations in HK who are OFWs. These religious groups are very concerned.
Chi @24,
Naiposte ko na ito noong 2010…
Bigo silang lahat kaya silang lahat ang may pananagutan. Kung inako ni PNoy ang lahat ng sala dapat ay panagutan niya ito…
Ang paghingi ng kapatawaran ay simula ng pananagutan.
#31. bay, sariwang-sariwa pa poste mo. Thanks, naala-ala ko nga na merong poste ng mga KABIGUAN sa kasagsagan ng isyu, iyo pala.
Agreed, “Ang paghingi ng kapatawaran ay simula ng pananagutan.”
Kaya walang aasahan ang Hongkong. Mukhang ayaw naman nila ang apology ni Erap. 😀
What HK was most upset about was the failure to prosecute those responsible for the massacre. Pnoy organized an investigative body. The DOJ submitted its findings and recommendation to him. He rejected it and did not charge his men including former Mayor Lim. If you were HK, how would you feel? There was no sincerity on the part of Pnoy.
SORRY NA
sa tono ng ‘Dito Ba’
ni Kuh Ledesma
I
Sorry na, Sorry na, Sorry na o Sorry na…
Ang dapat kahinatnan
Sa bus hostage na nagdaan?
Sa ilalim ng grandstand…
Sorry na…
Sabi ni Erap ngayon..
Bakit ibang-iba ang inyong reaksyon?
Paano na kung sa’n naroroon
Mga kababayan kong nagtatrabaho doon?
Dapat ba, lagyan na ng visa
Sa Hong Kong magpupunta?
Sorry na, parang sinasakop
Ang Pilipinas ko ngayo’y nagmumukmok…
Doon ba naroon ang tagumpay
Bakit o kay lupit? Tayo ang nalulumbay…
Puwede ba na ipagba¬wal din kayo dito sa amin
Kung saan si PNoy nakatanaw,
Ligaya’y kay babaw!
Sorry na… ‘Wag nang umarte pa, tayo ngayo’y nilalangaw…
kapag meron sa inyo dito ang pumalag, isusumbong ko kayo kay ‘Igan na siyang kumposer n’yan!
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/feb0514/op_ac.htm
sobrang mabilis ang posting kaya nahuhule ang dapat ay kasama.
ay em sorrow!
# 31 & 32.
dapat ay paghingi ng paumanhin at hindi kapatawaran sapagkat hindi tuwirang kasalanan ng gobyerno, lalo na ng malakanya(ng) ang pagkamatay ng ilang turistang hongkongese sa nangyari noong hosteyds drama sa luneta.
subalit kung command responsibility ang pag-uusapan at kahit wala sa mismong lugar si penot nang mga sandaling ‘yun ay meron siyang tuwirang pananagutan dahil hindi niya inatasan ang mga kinauukulan upang tiyaking hindi mapapahamak ang mga naging biktima MULA SA KAPALPAKAN ng mga TANGANG pulis na kuntodo ensayo pa bago sumugod subalit ‘yun pala ay puro BOBO katulad siguro ng kanilang hepeng mahilig sa tagong pangongotong!
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/feb0614/news03.htm
ito lamang ang pinagtutuunan ng interes at abala ng administrasyong penot lalong lalo na ang mabunying binatang pangulong paubos na ang buhok.
okey la’ang sana kung sinsero ang gagawing pagsisiyasat SUBALIT ito’y tila panglihis lamang ng ating atensiyon upang iligaw ang paniniwalang tuwid ang kanilang dinaraanan at walang katiwalian sa gabinete.
kayo diyan sa gobyerno, ILABAS na ninyo ang pondo’t tulong mula sa ibang bansa upang kaming mga biktima ng karahasan at kalamidad ay magkaroon ng maayos na tirahan at muling makapagsimula ng bagong buhay. lahat ng aming naipon at pundar ay kasamang naabo at ‘yung mga naging biktima ng lindol ay nilamon ng lupa samantalang ‘yung binagyo ay nilipad ng hangin at tinangay ng umaalimpuyong baha!
The government recently signed a peace pact with MNLF, but ignored the Zamboanga crisis the victims of whom have still to be helped and compensated.
PNoy has become so confident and arrogant as of late. This is because of his popularity remains high even if achievements are litlle. Swerte talaga dahil malakas sa ABS-CBN at Inquirer. Sila ang tagapagtanggol at gumagawa ng istorya para kay PNoy.