RP declares Aug. 25 Day of National Mourning
President Benigno Aquino III inspects the bus that was hijacked by a former policeman and held hostage its Hong Kong tourist passengers.
In solidarity with the people of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which lost eight lives from the hostage-taking incident in Manila yesterday, the Philippine Government declared August 25 as day of national mourning.
President Benigno Aquino III signed Proclamation No. 23 yesterday instructing all public institutions in the country, as well as Philippine Embassies and Consulates General overseas, to lower the Philippine Flag at half-mast on August 25.
The Philippine Government considers the deaths of eight Hong Kong nationals a great loss to the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines.
“These deaths are a great loss to the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines, and call for the most solemn commemoration and respect at a time of grief for our two peoples,” the proclamation said.
Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs lowered its Philippine Flag at half-mast in memory of the lives lost in the incident.
