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 hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 24th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Ten.

	(Sgd.) BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
By the President:
(Sgd.)PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.
Executive Secretary