Bishops to lead Mass at hostage-taking site in Philippines
(August 30, 2010) In the Philippines, Bishops Deogracias Iniguez of Kalookan and
Honesto Ongtioco of Cubao will concelebrate Mass with Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo
of Manila at the capital’s Quirino Grandstand on Tuesday, to offer prayers for victims
of the recent hostage-taking there. Church-run Radio Veritas 846 invited Catholics
to the Mass it is co-organizing with the Department of Tourism, Manila city government,
tour and travel industry members and the Archdiocese of Manila. The radio station
confirmed on Monday that Father Thaddeus Shang, a Catholic priest from mainland China,
will also concelebrate the Mass. A disgruntled former policeman demanding his job
back hijacked a bus on August 23 and later gunned down eight of the 20 Hong Kong hostages
before a sniper killed him after a 12-hour standoff at a seaside Manila Park. Seven
other hostages survived the final bloodbath. The botched rescue operation has been
heavily criticised across the world, particularly in Hong Kong and China. Philippines
and Chinese government officials and people from various sectors are expected to attend
Tuesday’s Mass in Manila.