Palace exec doubts HK chief called Aquino during hostage crisis
By Christine O. Avendaño
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 11:07:00 08/26/2010
Filed Under: hostage taking, Grandstand Hostage, Government, Foreign affairs & international relations, Diplomacy
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MANILA, Philippines – Reports that Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang had called President Benigno Aquino III at the height of Monday’s hostage crisis in Manila were “unbelievable” because the President was “accessible all the time,” a communication official of Malacanang said Thursday.
"Di kapanipaniwala yan ’dahil accessible siya sa lahat ng oras [That is unbelievable because the President is accessible all the time],'' Secretary Herminio Coloma, head of the Presidential Communications and Operations Office, told ABS-CBN's program "Umagang Kay Ganda''.
Coloma was reacting to Tsang's reported frantic phone calls to Mr. Aquino last Monday and his complaint that he could not reach the Philippine leader.
“If [Tsang] called the office of the President, his call will be received. Even if the President left the Palace for a short while, he could still be reached because his mobile phones are with his aides,'' Coloma said.
Palace official said that Mr. Aquino was not aware that Tsang had called him but when he learned about it, he called Hong Kong's top official on Tuesday to express his government's deep sorrow for the hostage crisis that ended with the death of eight Hong Kong tourists.
Hostage-taker dismissed Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza was also killed in the 11-hour standoff.
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