Hong Kong will BAN Pinoy entry's visa-free access Scheme beginning November
Reported
in the South China Morning Post(SCMP) said that Hong Kong Lawmakers are rallying
behind a call to withdraw visa-free access for Filipino visitors to Hong Kong
despite reports of progress towards a compensation deal for victims of the 2010
Manila hostage siege.
A
non-binding Legislative Council motion urging the suspension of the visa-free
scheme looks set to be passed on Wednesday after parties from across the
political spectrum indicated they would support it.
Lawmakers
want the government to put pressure on the Philippine leadership and Manila city
government to compensate families of eight Hongkongers killed by sacked
policeman Rolando Mendoza, as well as the injured.
The
call comes despite a joint statement on Thursday by Manila City Council
representative Bernardito Ang and Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun,
who is working with the victims and families, indicating that a deal was getting
closer.
Former
security chief Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, will move the call to stop visa-free
access as an amendment to radical pan-democrat Albert Chan Wai-yip's motion
seeking sanctions on the Philippines. She has won the support of two leading
Beijing-loyalist parties, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and
Progress of Hong Kong and the Federation of Trade Unions. Pan-democrats are also
expected to support her amendment.
Chan's
motion is expected to pass. But DAB chairman Tam Yiu-chung says his party may
not support an amendment by Democratic Party lawmaker Sin Chung-kai as it "might
infringe the existing trade agreements".
Sin
wants the government to stop buying Philippine products, halt negotiations on
air routes and trade and urge the public to boycott Philippine
goods.
But
FTU lawmaker Wong Kwok-kin will support both amendments.
"Though
the motion has no binding effect, it will exert pressure not only on the Hong
Kong government but also the Philippines - as pan-democrats and the
pro-establishment camp join forces on this issue," he
said.
Security
minister Lai Tung-kwok would not comment on the amendments until the meeting.
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