The Chinese Embassy in Manila on Monday night said that the Philippine government should ensure the safety and security of the Chinese nationals who survived the Quirino Grandstand hostage drama Monday.

“We request that the Philippine side should try its best to make sure that the injured or those who survived the hostage would be taken cared of,” Chinese Embassy in Manila spokesperson Ethan Sun said in a phone interview with the Manila Bulletin.

“We are hoping for the safety and security of those who were injured,” he added.

Sun said they have yet to issue a formal written statement regarding the hostage drama as they are “still confirming the exact information of how many were killed.”

According to Sun, a working group from the Chinese Embassy was sent to the site earlier, adding that they “requested for some explanation why no SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team did not take action at that time.”

“The working group had a disagreement with Philippine side… When the whole drama was over, the Philippine side said sorry… about this action,” he said.

Another working group from the Chinese Embassy was on its way Monday night to the hospitals to check on the survivors of the hostage crisis, according to Sun.

About 25 Chinese nationals onboard a tourist bus were taken hostage by former policeman who was relieved from service.

Manila hostage-taking updates

See also:

• Palace meets with PNP on hostage drama
• Chinese Embassy to RP: ensure safety of hostage survivors
• Gunman killed; gov't gains control of bus
• Gov't debriefing hostages
• Manila hostage-taking over
• Philippine hostage crisis ends with several hostages alive
• Hostages at Rizal Park
• Hostage-taker a decorated cop with 17 medals
• Mendoza an 'honest' policeman
• Hostage-taker dismissed due to alleged extortion
• Hostage-taker just wants to be reinstated
• 8 passengers released from tourist bus hijacked in Manila
• 7 released in bus hostage taking
• Ex-policeman in Philippines holds tourists hostage