HK Lawmakers propose ban on maids to force apology over Manila bus tragedy

[Monseratto]

After seeing how PNoy said "Uncle" to the Taiwanese for the "unfortunete" death of the Taiwanese fishermen, those idiot Hong Kong legislators now want to use the OFW card too...

Lawmakers propose ban on maids to force apology over Manila bus tragedy | South China Morning Post

Jeffie Lam, Phila Siu and Joshua But Thursday, 10 October, 2013, 11:39am


A radical pan-democratic group is seeking law revisions to ban Filipino domestic helpers from working in the city until Manila apologises for the bungled rescue in a Manila hostage-taking crisis three years ago that killed eight Hongkongers.

Under the People Power plan, all Filipinos would eventually be barred from entering Hong Kong.

The idea was met with reservations by the security minister, legislators and the family of one of the dead hostages, expressing concerns about the effect on Hongkongers in general.

The move came two days after Philippine President Benigno Aquino insisted in an official talk with Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying in Bali on Monday that he would make no apology for the messed-up rescue action.

"Aquino has been humiliating Hongkongers," lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip, of People Power, said. "The government has the responsibility to take a tougher stance to penalise the country for its response to the tragedy."

The political group plans to table a private member's bill to amend the Immigration Ordinance. The bill must be signed off by the chief executive before the Legislative Council votes on it.

People Power seeks changes to the law in three steps: first, to ban new Filipino domestic helpers; secondly, to stop renewing the entry permits of existing maids; and lastly, to bar all Filipinos from entering Hong Kong until the Philippines apologises.

The city has about 160,000 Filipino domestic workers.

Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said any follow-up action on the hostage tragedy had to be reasonable. "We have to be careful about any idea that will affect the public," he said.

New People's Party lawmaker and executive councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the ban would only harm the middle class. "Hongkongers should stop pressing for an apology from the Philippines as Aquino will only continue playing tricks," Ip said.

She proposed that the government set up a fund to help survivors and families of the dead.

Wong Kwok-kin, a legislator from the Beijing-friendly Federation of Trade Unions, said it would not oppose the idea of restricting Filipino helpers.

"But any policy change concerning Filipino maids could affect more than 200,000 local families and needs careful consideration," Wong said.

Tse Chi-kin, elder brother of slain tour guide Masa Tse Ting-chunn, said he did not want their cause to undermine the interests of Hongkongers.

Eman Villanueva, spokesman for the Asian Migrants' Coordinating Body, said Chan was "barking up the wrong tree".

"Chan is just exploiting the political situation to gain popularity. What does the visa issue have to do with the Manila hostage incident?" Villanueva asked. "This is racist and he should be ashamed."

A video released by the Philippine presidential office shows Leung's meeting with Aquino.

Ip said Leung was the underdog in the talks, as he lacked experience in diplomacy. "From the seating arrangement and the lack of a joint statement you can see the Philippines disrespects Hong Kong," she said.

Leung and two other Hong Kong officials sat on one side while Aquino sat alone at the centre of the room. That was "inappropriate" and contradicted diplomatic norms for leaders to sit side by side even when both were not state leaders, said Simon Shen Xuhui, director of global studies at Chinese University.

The International Federation of Journalists condemned the Apec summit organisers for barring Hong Kong journalists who asked Aquino about an apology.

[yebo]

E di i-ban nila. Tangna nila lahat!

[slapz]

Ahaha! i-ban? Sus, patay sila, saan sila kukuha ng 160K na domestic helpers? ehehe!

[oj88]

This is a classic case of nitpicking. Every little action we do are perceived as an insult to them.

I wonder if ever the hostage taking happened in the US, will they actively pursue banning Americans then?

[nelany]

E bakit nalang mag apologize sa palpak na recue operation ng mga engot police para tapos na yung hinihiling nila. Kaya bang bigyan ng matinong trabaho yung 160k na pinoy sa HK?

[nelany]

Ahaha! i-ban? Sus, patay sila, saan sila kukuha ng 160K na domestic helpers? ehehe!

Ang daming Indonesian na domestic helper baka hindi mo alam. Sila ang susunod na pinaka madami na DH sa HK.

[K.I.L.L.]

This issue is old. I think it is being used by a politican there really to gain popularity by using an old but sensitive issue.

Banning pinoys will also have a detrimental effect on their economy. A lot of pinoys shop at HK not to mention a lot of the domestic helpers also spend their money there to bring back gifts to their loves ones.

[slapz]

Ang daming Indonesian na domestic helper baka hindi mo alam. Sila ang susunod na pinaka madami na DH sa HK.

eh yung mga nagustuhan na nila yung mga kasambahay nila? Paano yun, ikaw ba, matutuwa ka kung biglang palitan yung kasama nyo sa bahay na napagkakatiwalaan mo na?

Pero sabagay, kaya naman nila siguro.

[Monseratto]

Three years has passed after the incident and only the killer's brother formally charged and none of the KKK buddies of PNoy joining him. It is enough to test anyone's patience, especially for the victim's family.

[gearspeed]

Loko talaga ang kong hong na yan.
Ano next na gusto nila lumuhod ang president natin sa kanila sus.

[Retz]

bar all filipinos going to hongkong? seriously?

[Altis6453]

Apples to oranges.

The wrongful shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman was done by members of the PCG, technically, a government agency, while the Luneta hostage incident was done by a deranged ex-policeman.

I can understand why the PH would give an official apology for the former, but its a stretch to have the government apologize for the latter.

[foresterx]

Apples to oranges.

The wrongful shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman was done by members of the PCG, technically, a government agency, while the Luneta hostage incident was done by a deranged ex-policeman.

I can understand why the PH would give an official apology for the former, but its a stretch to have the government apologize for the latter.

true, but i honestly think that the government needs to apologize not only to HK but also the filipino people for handling a situation in such a poor manner. watching the hostage taking makes me cringe, just goes to show how stupid, incompetent and untrained the people who should be protecting us.

[falken]

Umeepal lang yung politicians na yan.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Sweetlucious]

E di i-ban nila. Tangna nila lahat!

Be careful what you wish for. Its a easily replaceable job, they are really not attached to their kasambahay. Iba dito.

This issue is old. I think it is being used by a politican there really to gain popularity by using an old but sensitive issue.

Banning pinoys will also have a detrimental effect on their economy. A lot of pinoys shop at HK not to mention a lot of the domestic helpers also spend their money there to bring back gifts to their loves ones.

The economy not much, they rely more on the mainlanders. Have you seen those mainlanders on their shopping spree? Nakasabay ko minsan sa LV, inubos nila yun mga bags. Eh ang mga ofw, they need to save para may masend home.

[falken]

true, but i honestly think that the government needs to apologize not only to HK but also the filipino people for handling a situation in such a poor manner. watching the hostage taking makes me cringe, just goes to show how stupid, incompetent and untrained the people who should be protecting us.

Their handling of the hostage situation was embarrassing.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[Ry_Tower]

Umeepal nga yung politician pero may mabigat kasi siyang case. The government should not belittle this. Mahirap mawalan nag trabaho lalo na at 160K pax ang maaapektuhan. Inaasahan yan nang pamilya nila dito and even the extended family. I hope this will be resolved ASAP.

[nelany]

Their handling of the hostage situation was embarassing.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Correct talagang palpak yung handling ng hostage crisis ng govt.
Yung family ng victims never stop asking for an apology and compensation after that incident and up to now. A simple apology sa palpak na operation will diffuse it.

[box_type]

what would be the implications if pnoy will apologize?

[nelany]

Be careful what you wish for. Its a easily replaceable job, they are really not attached to their kasambahay. Iba dito.



The economy not much, they rely more on the mainlanders. Have you seen those mainlanders on their shopping spree? Nakasabay ko minsan sa LV, inubos nila yun mga bags. Eh ang mga ofw, they need to save para may masend home.

Minority lang tayo being a consumer sa HK. Yung mainlander ay really the big spender now adays.