“No I am here in Manila and just had meetings,” Almendras told GMA News Online in a text message, denying several reports that said he went to Hong Kong with Estrada and Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima.
Almendras, however, did not respond after he was asked whether he will follow Estrada or meet the families of the hostage victims.
A Palace source, however, said without elaborating that Almendras will fly to Hong Kong for a separate meeting.
Hong Kong has been demanding an apology from President Benigno Aquino III for the botched rescue attempt of Hong Kong hostages in a bus in the Luneta. Aquino has steadfastly declined to apologize, saying that would create a legal liability and citing Filipino fatalities in China for which China has not apologized and paid compensation.
Eight tourists from Hong Kong were killed during the hostage crisis perpetrated by a dismissed policeman.
Last November, Almendras went to Hong Kong to turn over a donation for the jaw operation of a hostage survivor. — KBK, GMA News
