Hong Kong imposes visa sanctions against the Philippines

The Hong Kong government has cancelled diplomatic passport privileges for Philippine officials and diplomatic passport holders in retaliation for Manila’s failure to meet demands over the tourist bloodbath in 2010. This is the first time sanctions have been imposed against a foreign state and comes after discussions between the two governments, which ended in vain.

Since the bus-hostage incident in Philippines on 23rd August, 2010 during which sacked policeman Rolando Mendoza took 22 Hong Kong tourists and three Filipinos captive on their coach and shot dead seven tourists and their guide, survivors and victims’ relatives have been demanding a formal apology, compensation, punishment of responsible officials and improved tourist safety. The responses to the latter three have been accepted but an apology from Manila mayor Joseph Estrada in August has been rejected as being insincere. Another source of dissatisfaction was President Benigno Aquino’s refusal to follow the recommendations of an independent panel to file criminal charges against eight police and government officials for their roles in the crisis, instead ordering the filing of mere administrative charges against six of them.

The sanction comes despite a black travel warning currently in force that has been kept for the last three years. Chief Executive Chun-Ying Leung says that the cancellation of the 14-day-visa-free arrangements for the two categories of pass-port-holders, of whom up to 800 visit Hong Kong each year, was just the first phase of sanctions.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing supported Hong Kong in its efforts regarding the hostage crisis, and veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said Beijing must have endorsed the decision as Hong Kong had limited power in matters of foreign relations. Dr David Zweig, chair professor of the social science department at the University of Science and Technology, also said Beijing "certainly" would not have opposed the sanction decision, adding: "Beijing is not very happy with the Philippines these days." But he adds that sanctions could be unwise if talks are continuing. International-relations experts believe that the cancellations could be related to tension between Beijing and Manila over the South China Sea.

Tse Chi-kin, brother of killed tour guide Masa Tse Ting-chunn, and injured survivor Yik Siu-ling welcomed the move. "At least it's an unprecedented step to show the Hong Kong and Beijing governments do care," Tse said.

The city’s Filipino community, however, is worried that those sanctions may affect ordinary citizens. Eman Villanueva, vice-chairman of the Filipino Migrant Workers' Union in Hong Kong, said many of his compatriots feared stronger sanctions could be on the way.

But People Power lawmaker Chan Chi-chuen has said the visa move was not enough and again urged the government to stop issuing work visas to Filipino domestic helpers from April. The effect of further sanctions remain to be seen.