As far as the Manila city government is concerned, it was Mayor Joseph Estrada’s initiative to offer a formal apology that “softened the hearts” of the victims of the hostage-taking tragedy in Luneta which led to a breakthrough in the appeasement efforts with Hong Kong.
Estrada said the acceptance of his apology was the best present he received for his birthday, as the Philippines and Hong Kong put a closure to the 2010 bloodbath which left eight tourists dead.
“It came right on time,” said Estrada shortly after his return from the four-day trip. The actor-turned-politician turned 77 on April 19.
“It was a joint effort (with the national government). But nobody can deny that I initiated it. I formally apologized, then I sent Councilor Bernie Ang back and forth to Hong Kong,” Estrada said.
“Then they came in and we welcomed them (referring to national government) and we made it a joint effort. What’s important is that the negotiations were successful,” he added.
The former President dispelled speculations that he was gearing for a comeback after his short-lived presidency. “This is my last hurrah,” he would often say.
“The hostage-taking happened in Manila. I had to interfere although it didn’t happen under my watch. It was my responsibility as elected mayor.”
Alfredo Lim was the mayor in 2010 when a disgruntled policeman took the Hong Kong tourists hostage.
Estrada unseated Lim in the last election. But a disqualification case filed by Lim is still pending in the Supreme Court against Estrada, who was convicted for plunder and later pardoned by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
“What softened their hearts was the apology from Mayor Erap,” Ang said. “The victims’ families saw his sincerity.”