Erap still after hoodlums in uniforms

MANILA, Philippines – Celebrating his first hundred days as mayor of Manila, Joseph Estrada hopes to win back tourists from Hong Kong after the controversial handling of the 2010 hostage crisis surfaces again in the APEC summit.

Bea Cupin reports.

It was an issue that hounded President Aquino in the APEC summit and got 3 Hong Kong journalists thrown out.
It’s the 3 year old bungled hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand.
Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada says he wants to bring back Hong Kong tourists to the Philippine capital.

JOSEPH ESTRADA
MANILA MAYOR
Maybe next month. I’m going to Beijing and going back home. I’ll pass by Hong Kong and talk to the officials there because meron pa silang ano eh, travel bans on tourists to the Philippines. (I’ll pass by Hong Kong and talk to the officials there because they still have a travel ban on tourists to the Philippines.)

Eight Hong Kong tourists died on August 23, 2010 during the 10-hour hostage taking by a sacked police officer.
Estrada, in an interview with Hong Kong media, apologized for the incident.

JOSEPH ESTRADA
MANILA MAYOR
The residents only want the mayor to apologize. Even if I’m not the mayor then, I’m going to apologize in behalf of the city of Manila for the unfortunate incident that happened. And I will tell them that it will never happen on my watch or under my administration.

China urges the Philippine government to address the concerns of the hostage victims and their families.
But President Aquino refuses to issue an official apology saying its the fault of one gunman and not the entire nation.
Several victims sued the Philippines over the incident but a Hong Kong court said they could not sue a sovereign state.
But they can still press charges against 8 Philippine government officials including former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and incumbent Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

ISKO MORENO
MANILA VICE MAYOR
Of the officials found having negligence and liabilities and after the review, I’m the only person – ako lang tinanggal na walang liability because photos and videos speak a thousand words and it speaks for itself. (I was the only one who wasn’t held liable because photos and videos speak a thousand words and it speaks for itself.)

Peace and order issues are just some of the problems of the city of Manila.
On Thursday, Estrada delivers his “report to the city” on his administration’s first 100 days.
He says he’s focused on bringing back Manila’s “glory days.”
Estrada and Moreno introduced several dramatic and controversial changes in the city.
There’s a ban on buses without terminals, street hawkers driven out of Divisoria, an “all out war” against illegal gambling, and the flushing out of “Manila’s worst”– the now iconic corrupt cop.

JOSEPH ESTRADA
MANILA MAYOR
We’ll be very firm and consistent in our drive against hoodlums in uniforms: kotong cops

Tough talking Estrada dreams big dreams for Manila, but he admits changing the image of a city now known as the “gates of hell” will be a tough act.
Bea Cupin, Rappler, Manila. – Rappler.com