President Duterte Surprises Filipinos in HK, Apologizes for Quirino Incident
President Rodrigo R. Duterte addresses the Filipino Community at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal MICE Venue in Kowloon, Hong Kong on 12 April.
HONG KONG 18 April 2018 – President Rodrigo R. Duterte was met with an overwhelming wave of support from the Filipino Community in Hong Kong during his unofficial visit from 10-12 April. This was his second visit to the territory in the last ten months.
The President addressed around 2,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal MICE Venue in Kowloon, commending them for their hard work and sacrifices in order to provide a brighter future for their families in the Philippines. He also thanked the Filipino Community for supporting his administration’s efforts to fight corruption and illegal drugs.
“Last year, the President visited (Hong Kong), and he is again here as proof and affirmation of his love for the Filipino Community. On behalf of the Filipino Community in Hong Kong, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude.”
President Duterte surprised the crowd by apologizing for the 2012 Quirino Grandstand bus incident.
“There has been no official apology for what happened during that incident...in August 2010. May I address myself to the Chinese people who are here: I apologize. From the bottom of my heart, as the President of the Philippines and on behalf of the Filipino people, may I formally apologize to you now. I guarantee you that this will never happen again,” he said.
Surprise Visit
The President dropped by unannounced at Jollibee’s Hung Hom branch to greet and treat diners at the popular Filipino fast food chain before proceeding the Filipino Community meeting at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on 12 April.
“No past Philippine leader has achieved this kind of reception ever. The feeling is overwhelming,” said Nelson Vicera, principal engineer of Nexperia Hong Kong Ltd who was surprised by the President’s unexpected Jollibee visit.
“As for the programs and policies of the President, I am really happy that if we compare him with all our previous leaders, I can say he's the best president we've had in history,” said Rodofo Medilo, a 28-year Hong Kong resident from Aklan who volunteered at the event as a marshal. “That’s why I am so impressed by the Duterte administration.”
“He’s helped OFWs like me a lot,” said Sheila May Jayson of Dumagete, Negros Oriental, during his visit. “Thank you, President Duterte, for the tremendous progress you’ve achieved in the Philippines.”
The President was joined by members of his family: his partner Honeylet Avancena, elder daughter Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and her son Stingray, and youngest daughter Veronica “Kitty” Duterte.
Household Service Worker (HSW) Alma Pardillo, accompanied by Consul General Antonio A Morales, was invited to join the President and his family at their table. Pardillo mentioned to the President the current health condition of her nine-year-old daughter in the Philippines. President Duterte offered to cover the costs of Pardillo’s roundtrip ticket to the Philippines to attend to her daughter and to defray some of the medical bills. END
For more information, visit www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/
Consul General Antonio A. Morales delivers welcome remarks at the Filipino Community Meeting of President Rodrigo R. Duterte on 12 April 2018 at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal MICE Venue in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte and Mayor Sara Duterte shake hands with the Filipino Community meeting attendees who expressed elation and heartfelt gratitude during the event on 12 April 2018 at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal MICE Venue in Kowloon, Hong Kong (first shot screen grabbed from Radio Television Malacañang Youtube page).