Gov't not to stop Estrada from apologizing to HK: official

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government would neither stop nor prevent former president and current mayor of Manila city Joseph Estrada from apologizing to Hong Kong in connection with the Quirino Grandstand hostage crisis of 2010, a senior government official said today.

Philippine Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the national government has no "basis or reason" to stop Estrada or prevent him from doing "what he thinks is right."

Coloma also said he is not aware of reports that the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs is barring Estrada from apologizing to Hong Kong.

"Manila and Hong Kong have a 'sister city agreement.' .. (The national government) will not try to stop the efforts of (Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada) because what we want is to arrive at an acceptable solution. We hope that all those who can help will contribute to finding a resolution to this," said Coloma.

Estrada said in an earlier interview that he is willing to apologize to Hong Kong and the hostage victims after the Hong Kong government announced it will suspend the visa-free travel for Filipino officials and diplomats since Feb. 5.

Hong Kong issued the suspension after Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III continued to refuse to apologize for the incident.

In the same press conference on Monday afternoon, Coloma expressed regret on the sanction on behalf of the Philippine government, saying the decision of Hong Kong is a "misstep" on their path to common understanding.