HONG KONG – Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers marched Sunday in honor of eight locals killed in a bus hijacking in Manila, denouncing the Philippine government for botching the rescue operation and demanding justice for the dead.
The Philippine president has "begged for understanding" and ordered a thorough investigation into last Monday's incident, but that has done little to stem growing anger in this wealthy southern Chinese territory where violent crime is a rarity.
About 20 Hong Kong legislators led the crowd gathered at an urban park in a short ceremony honoring the dead before setting off on a march to the Central financial district. Police didn't estimate the size of the crowd, but organizers said about 80,000 people took part, radio RTHK reported on its website.
"Today's protest expresses our deep mourning and our strong desire for the Philippine government to take the matter seriously," Jasper Tsang, president of the Legislative Council, told the crowd.
Former Philippine police officer Rolando Mendoza commandeered a bus carrying a 20-member Hong Kong tour group visiting Manila last week, hoping to reverse his dismissal from the force on what he said were bogus robbery and extortion charges.
He released several children and elderly hostages early in the 12-hour standoff broadcast live on television, but later opened fire on the tourists. A police sniper shot and killed Mendoza _ but not before eight tourists were killed in gunfire. Three others were seriously injured, including one who is still in a coma.
The bloody ending stunned Hong Kongers, who blasted Manila police for what they called an amateurish rescue attempt. They also accused Philippine President Benigno Aquino III of indifference in angry online messages.
"Everyone saw how the Philippine government mishandled the situation before TV cameras and the chaos in the country. As a Chinese person, I need to demand justice," 49-year-old worker Andy Wong said at Sunday's protest.
Manila's police chief has taken leave and four leaders of the assault team have been relieved pending an investigation. Officials have said the firearms used by 200 police commandos will be tested to see if any of the hostages were hit by police gunfire.
There are concerns that local anger could boil over and the some 120,000 Filipinos working as live-in domestic helpers for Hong Kong families would face a backlash. So far there have been no reports of violence _ although a local Filipino activist group says two maids have been fired over the incident and another employer decided not to sign a helper who had been lined up. Philippine officials are also expecting Hong Kong tourists to stay away from their country.
On Sunday, organizers of the protest urged participants not to target Filipinos.
"My feelings toward the Philippine people haven't changed. This is not a problem concerning the entire Filipino race," said protester Carl Chiu, a 20-year-old university student.
In a gesture of solidarity, local Filipino activists organized an interfaith service in memory of the victims earlier Sunday where they lit eight candles _ one for each victim.
"We ask the Hong Kong people who are watching us not to blame us for what happened because we also did not want this kind of thing to happen. This is why we are holding this prayer _ to send our sympathy and condolences to them," migrant worker Elma Oliva said.
The Philippines' consul general in Hong Kong, Claro Cristobal, didn't immediately return a call seeking comment on the protest.
