Hong Kong Churches Mourn for Victims of Manila Bus Hijacking Incident

By Luke Leung
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Ten of thousands of people march through a downtown street in Hong Kong yesterday in honor of victims of the Manila bus hijacking and in lingering outrage over the bloodshed. The bloody end to the incident stunned Hong Kongers, who blasted Manila police for what they called an amateurish rescue attempt. The words on the banner read: Shanghai Daily

Since the August 23 hostage hijacking incident in Manila that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead, the political parties in Hong Kong legislative council have united together in a march for “grieving for the victims and demanding for a complete investigation to uncover the truth”; over 80,000 people joined in the march, mourning for the deceased Hong Kong citizens.

On the other hand, various Filipino organizations in Hong Kong expressed their sympathy and solidarity as well as calling for justice for the victims and survivors of the August 23 incident. Filipino Migrant Workers of Hong Kong (FMWU-HK) offered their 12th anniversary as “A Day of Sympathy and Reflection, A Day of Solidarity and Justice”. At a prayer meeting held by various Filipino organizations, over 400 Filipinos in Hong Kong gathered to mourn for the victims of this tragedy.

As anger and grief loomed in the hearts of the people of Hong Kong, they’ve criticized the Filipino government and their police for the serious mishandling of the hostage hijacking situation, which ultimately led to the tragic end.

Christian churches and believers have expressed their condolences and sympathies towards the family members of the victims during Sunday Services and prayer events.

On August 28, City Renewal Ministry initiated a six hour long prayer gathering at the Chater Garden in Central District of Hong Kong. The organizing committee urged the believers and people of Hong Kong to replace the hateful emotions with love and blessings. Participants included Kira Christianne R. Danganan, deputy consul-general of the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong, Donald Tsang, chief executive of Hong Kong, Wong Yan Lung, Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong, Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, Secretary for Security of Hong Kong, Edward Yau, Secretary for the Environment of Hong Kong, and Christian celebrities Sammi Cheng Sau-man and Zac Kao. Over a thousand people joined in the event.

Hong Kong Christian Council and various Catholic organizations held prayer vigils, expressing their sympathies toward the victims, and discussed on various topics including human rights and justice in the Philippines.

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