HK suspends no-visa access for Filipinos  

(ECNS) -- Hong Kong approved placing visa restrictions on Philippine citizens late Thursday night, as a way to demand Manila's apology and compensation for a hostage tragedy three years ago.

The suspension of visa-free arrangements for Philippine visitors came after Hong Kong's chief executive Leung Chun-ying warned last Tuesday that it would impose sanctions on the Philippines if it does not take "concrete steps" to resolve the issue of hostage crisis.

It is believed that the measure would have more impact on the Philippines than on Hong Kong, according to the Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok.

More than 700,000 Philippine visitors came to Hong Kong last year and were able to stay for two weeks without a visa. During the same period, only 120,000 people traveled from Hong Kong to the Philippines, according to estimates.

Hong Kong also passed a non-binding motion to impose economic sanctions on the Philippines, but it didn't specify what the sanctions might be. Earlier, a Hong Kong lawmaker called for the suspension of Philippine products, or phased restrictions on Filipino domestic helpers.

Hong Kong is home to more than 160,000 Filipinos, half of whom are domestic helpers. Some citizens showed support for the suggestion, saying it would be a big loss for the Philippines, as Hong Kongers spend 7.5 billion HK dollars ($970 million) a year on them.

Philippine presidential spokesman Sonny Coloma reiterated in a regular briefing Friday that they are still working to reach a "satisfactory conclusion."

Hong Kong has wanted an official apology from Manila over the botched hostage rescue attempt three years ago that left eight Hong Kong nationals dead and wounded seven others.

Besides an official apology, it also wants Manila to give compensation to the victims and family members of those who were killed, penalize officials directly involved and put measures in place to guarantee tourists' safety.