A MEETING between President Aquino and the Hong Kong survivors of the August 23, 2010, hostage taking may not be necessary since the government has already taken “concrete actions” to address concerns arising from the case, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda made the statement when asked in a news briefing to comment on the reported request of a Hong Kong group to have an audience with the Chief Executive, reportedly coursed through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Asked if there was a possibility the President would accede to the request, Lacierda explained that the group was to be accompanied by Democratic Party lawmaker James To Kun-sun, which would give its call on the President “political color,” especially as there would be a Hong Kong District Councils election in November.

“I understand there’s a coming election in Hong Kong and the politician who is accompanying them is an oppositionist. So there is some political color. We don’t want to get involved in Hong Kong politics, so it’s not something that we would like to get involved with very clearly,” he said.

Lacierda added that as far as the Philippine government was concerned, it has already “taken steps to address the tragedy in Luneta” both in making sure the tourists were safe and in prosecuting the officials, as recommended by the second Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) report.

Lacierda added: “I think what’s important to us is to show to the Hong Kong government that we’ve taken steps. We have already expressed our regrets. We have already apologized so many times. How often does one have to apologize?” What’s important, Lacierda said, is “not the symbolic actions taken but the concrete actions taken by this government in addressing those concerns raised during the hostage-taking incident” where nine people were killed, including eight tourists from Hong Kong.

He said such actions would “prevent another occurrence” of the tragedy, including putting more well-trained police in tourist areas who have been provided with bicycles for greater mobility; night courts to address concerns of tourists; and upgraded security services.

As for the IIRC, he said its recommended action on concerned officials have been instituted, such as the dismissal of Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III, the relief of Chief Supt. Rodolfo Magtibay as the police chief of the district of Manila, and the suspension of Police Director Leocadio Santiago.

“Cases are now pending on the other officials concerned who were implicated in the IIRC. So we have been moving and, understandably, it may not be to their satisfaction but they cannot accuse us of…not doing anything about the hostage-taking incident. We have taken steps to address their concerns and we are doing that right now,” Lacierda said.

He added: “What is important for the Philippine government is that we would like to assure all tourists from Hong Kong or from any other country that we will guarantee their safety.”

Asked about the demand of the survivors for an apology from the government and reasonable compensation, Lacierda said the President had already apologized in public several times for the botched hostage rescue, and that a Solidarity Fund has been set up, comprising  private funds, for the victims.