HK families torn after Philippines hostage siege

A Hong Kong woman who survived a siege on a Manila bus tells how her husband is the only shooter will be charged, only to be slain. Another teenage survivor said she cowered in her life during the ordeal.

The two were among 15 tourists still aboard the bus Philippine commandos what police now acknowledge was a failed rescue.

"I can not bear this reality," said the middle-aged woman, identified as Ms Leung, half-choking on her grief as she spoke to the Hong Kong Cable Television. "I wanted my husband to embrace and die with him. But then I thought of my children."

Ms Leung also lost her two daughters in the gunfire - Jessie, 14, filmed the bus peeking through curtains, and Doris, 21, already studying in Canada.

The only surviving member of her family, her teenage son, Jason, was in intensive care after brain surgery.

There were seven families in the 21-member group tours, including a guide, local media reported. They were on a four-day package tour to the Philippines - a popular holiday destination in Southeast Asia.

Flags were flown at half mast in Hong Kong, a former British colony which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, and the authorities a travel warning to the Philippines.

Many Hong Kong residents, including leader Donald Tsang of the city, criticized the slow and seemingly chaotic way the commandos attempted to storm the tour bus when the hostage taker, a disgruntled ex-policeman, was baking inside.

"Why did they not help us ... but rather the Philippines government?" muttered Ms. Leung, a blank look in her eyes.

Several small protests were held outside Hong Kong Philippines Consulate.

Other survivors spoke of harrowing scenes in the bus and commands the militia fought for over an hour before he was shot in the head slain.

"I hid under a chair," Tracy Wong, 15, told reporters from her hospital bed, her voice barely audible. "The police pepper sprayed and it was difficult for us inside."

She later learned that both her parents were slain.

A Buddhist monks in orange robes with a ceremony held at the massacre site on Tuesday, attended by relatives of victims and some survivors.

"I'm more at peace of heart," said one middle-aged hostage escaped harm. "We are Christians and God helped us a lot."

Hong Kong authorities said they were the bodies of the victims asked to be flown home by Wednesday.

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