Hong Kong's leader, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, right, speaks as hostage survivor Yik Siu-ling, center, and Tse Chi-kin, left, brother of killed hostage victim Masa Tse Ting-chunn listen during a news conference in Hong Kong Wednesday, April 23, 2014. Hong Kong and the Philippines reached a compromise Wednesday over Hong Kong's demands for an apology for the families of eight tourists killed in a bungled response to a 2010 Manila hostage-taking that soured relations. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
April 23, 2014 - 2:48 AM
HONG KONG - Hong Kong and the Philippines have reached a compromise over Hong Kong's demand for an apology for the deaths of eight tourists in a bungled rescue attempt during a 2010 hostage-taking in Manila that soured relations.
In a statement Wednesday, Hong Kong authorities said that "the Philippine government expresses its most sorrowful regret and profound sympathy, and extends its most sincere condolences for the pain and suffering of the victims and their families."
Missing was the word "apology," which had been a longstanding demand of the families of the victims.
The Philippine government has previously said it would not apologize.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
The tourists were taken hostage on a Manila tour bus by a disgruntled former police officer.
Three Hong Kong-Canadians _ Ken Leung, 58, and his daughters Jessie, 14, and Doris, 21, _ were among the dead.
- With files from The Canadian Press.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014