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■特首宣布，一個月內沒有階段性成果即制裁的做法，顯示特區政府處理事件有步驟、有計劃，手法有理有利有節。 資料圖片
特首梁振英本月5日宣布，若菲律賓人質事件的處理在一個月內沒有階段性成果，會對菲律賓採取制裁行動。菲律賓人質事件的處理進展未如理想，特區政府對菲方發出警告，代表本港市民的心聲，表明本港社會的容忍是有限度的。特區政府有決心為受害者討回公道，菲方不要再不以為然、消極應付，否則後果自負。
菲律賓人質事件發生至今已有3年多時間，香港提出菲律賓政府須就事件正式道歉、賠償、追究官員責任及採取措施保障本港旅客安全等要求，都是合情合理，但菲方一直未作積極回應。今年9月，馬尼拉市政府表示該市將就事件正式道歉，並派遣市議員來港談判，雖令解決事件出現一點轉機，但仍未符合受害者家屬、傷者及本港市民的期望。平心而論，香港對人質事件的態度理性寬厚，菲律賓當局冷漠以對、拖而不決，實在令港人失望和不滿。如今特首就菲方處理事件設下限期，不僅反映本港民意民情，表達港人的強烈訴求，亦反映特區政府處理事件有步驟、有計劃，手法有理有利有節，推動事件取得實質性的進展。
HKSAR government issued warning to push for solution to the hostage-taking incident
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying announced on 5 November that sanctions will be imposed on the Philippines if within one month no first stage result can be achieved to settle the issue of the hostage-taking incident that had happened in the Philippines. Progress on resolving the problem has been unsatisfactory. The warning issued by the HKSAR government to the Philippines represents the voice of the Hong Kong people and signals clearly that the patience of Hong Kong has its limits. The HKSAR government is determined to seek justice for the victims and the Philippines should cease to act in a defiant and uncooperative manner. Otherwise, they have to bear the consequences.
It has been more than 3 years since the hostage-taking incident happened in the Philippines. Demands which Hong Kong has made from the Philippines government, including an official apology, compensation, action to hold officials accountable and measures to ensure the safety of Hong Kong tourists, are all sensible and reasonable. The Philippines have not ever made a positive response. In September this year, the Manila municipal government expressed its intention to have the City of Manila make an official apology for the tragedy and also sent a city councilor to Hong Kong to negotiate. This signalled a turning point in solving the problem, but still expectations of families of the deceased, the injured and the general public of Hong Kong have not been met. It is fair to say that while Hong Kong has been reasonable and very accommodating in dealing with the hostage-taking incident, authorities of the Philippines have given Hong Kong a cold shoulder and delayed making relevant decisions. This no doubt makes Hong Kong people feel disappointed and frustrated. Now, the Chief Executive has set a time limit for the Philippines to settle the issue. The decision not only reflects the wishes and sentiment of Hong Kong and expresses the strong demand of the Hong Kong people, but also demonstrates that the HKSAR government has plans and procedures for dealing with the matter and is striving for substantial progress on just grounds, to the advantage of the parties concerned and in a restrained manner.（節自香港《文匯報》2013年11月6日） ■English translation by Tung-ming
[ tungming23@gmail.com ]
隔星期三見報
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