Declaring August 25, 2010, as a Day of National Mourning

MALACAÑANGManila PROCLAMATION No. 23 DECLARING AUGUST 25, 2010, AS A DAY OF NATIONAL MOURNING WHEREAS, on August 23, 2010, as a consequence of the hostage-taking incident in the Quirino Grandstand, Manila, eight innocent civilians lost their lives under tragic circumstances; WHEREAS, the Hong Kong government declared a day of mourning to express sorrow over the deaths of their nationals; WHEREAS, these deaths are a great loss to the peoples of Hong Kong and the Philippines, and call for the most solemn commemoration and respect at a time of grief for our two peoples; NOW, THEREFORE, I, BENIGNO S. AQUINO III, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby proclaim August 25, 2010 as a day of national mourning, in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong and the bereaved families of the slain. I instruct all the public institutions in the Philippines and our embassies and consulates overseas to lower the Philippine flag to half-mast on August 25, 2010. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my...