Hong Kong said it was disappointed with the Philippine president's decision to acquit high-ranking officials of criminal charges over the poor handling of a bus hijacking that claimed the lives of August.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday ordered administrative sanctions against seven people, including the mayor and the Manila police chief, but refused to charge any criminal charges against anyone as a panel of inquiry suggested.
The Hong Kong government said the families of eight Hong Kong tourists who died in the 11-hour crisis and survivors would "find it difficult to accept" President Aquino's decision.
Several Philippine legislators have also criticized President Aquino's settlement of the investigation into an incident that began when a disillusioned former policeman hijacked the bus to get his job back. But President Aquino defended his decision by saying "We have a process, and we enforce the rule of law". (VOA News)
