New | C.Y. Leung hints that a deal over Manila hostage tragedy could be close

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying hinted yesterday that a deal to secure an apology and compensation from the Philippines for the victims of the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy could be near.

Leung's comments have been taken as an indication that he will not carry through his threat on November 5 to impose sanctions on Manila if it failed to come up with a deal within a month. The deadline passes today.

"The progress we have made so far makes us hopeful," Leung said yesterday. "I hope that the demands of the families of the victims will be satisfied within a relatively short time."

But Leung, who did not refer to the deadline, would not say how much longer he expected the discussions to take, adding that both sides had taken a "positive and practical attitude" towards solving their differences.

Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun, who is working with survivors of the tragedy and relatives of the eight people killed, warned that the public's patience was wearing thin.

"It is OK if there are no sanctions on [December] 5 as long as some progress can be achieved on the 10th or 15th," To said. "But if the government just keeps saying there is progress, but still nothing comes out after, say, Christmas or New Year, Hong Kong people will hold the government accountable."