MANILA – Several flights to and from Hong Kong were
canceled as pro-democracy protesters launched a city-wide strike to pressure
embattled pro-Beijing leaders, authorities said. As of 8 a.m., August 5, the
following flights have been canceled, according to the Manila International
Airport Authority:
Philippine Airlines
- PR 306 Manila – Hong Kong
- PR 307 Hong Kong – Manila
- PR 318 Manila – Hong Kong
- PR 319 Hong Kong – Manila
Cathay Pacific
- CX907 – Hong Kong to Manila
- CX906 – Manila to Hong Kong
- CX919 – Hong Kong to Manila
- CX918 – Manila to Hong Kong
- CX903 – Hong Kong to Manila
- CX902 – Manila to Hong Kong
- CX935 – Hong Kong to Manila
- CX934 – Manila to Hong Kong
- CX912 – Manila to Hong Kong
- CX939 – Hong Kong to Manila
- CX976 – Manila to Hong Kong
Cebu Pacific
- 5J112 – Manila to Hong Kong
- 5J113 – Hong Kong to Manila
For tickets booked on or before August 5, 2019 with travel dates on August 5, 6 and 7, 2019, Cebu Pacific will waive all charges for rebooking and refunds. Passengers may message the official Cebu Pacific Air accounts via Facebook or Twitter to make such changes.
Hong Kong has witnessed 2 months of unprecedented protests and clashes
triggered by opposition to a planned extradition law that quickly evolved into
a wider movement for democratic reform and a halt to sliding freedoms.
Authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have signaled a hardening stance with the Chinese military saying it is ready to quell the “intolerable” unrest if requested.
Riot police fired tear gas at protesters on Saturday and Sunday night.
The largely leaderless protest movement uses social messaging apps to coordinate and the strike action appears to be gaining more traction than previous strike calls in the last few weeks.
At a press conference on Saturday, strike organizers – many hiding their identities behind masks – said some 14,000 people from more than 20 sectors had already committed to civic action.
People from all walks of life have indicated plans online to either strike or phone in sick on Monday — from civil servants and social workers, to flight attendants, pilots, bus drivers and even employees of the city’s Disneyland.
Under the terms of the 1997 handover deal with Britain, Hong Kong has rights and liberties unseen on the Chinese mainland, including an independent judiciary and freedom of speech.
But many say those rights are being curtailed, citing the disappearance into mainland custody of dissident booksellers, the disqualification of prominent politicians and the jailing of pro-democracy protest leaders.
Public anger has been compounded by rising inequality and the perception that the city’s distinct language and culture are being threatened by ever-closer integration with the Chinese mainland.
Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam has made few concessions beyond agreeing to suspend the extradition bill, and has shied away from public appearances.
Protesters are demanding her resignation, an independent inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for those arrested, a permanent withdrawal of the bill, and the right to elect their leaders. (ABS-CBN News)
