Secretary for Security Bureau of the Hong Kong government Ambrose Lee (L) speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 23, 2010. Ambrose Lee confirmed on Monday that 15 tourists from Hong Kong were still held hostage by a gunman in the Philippine capital Manila. Lee said the Hong Kong government has set up a task force for the abduction incident, which was led by Lee himself. It has asked the Philippine government to put safety of the abducted Hong Kong residents as top priority. (Xinhua/Li Qiuchan)

HONG KONG, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Secretary for Security Bureau of the Hong Kong government, Ambrose Lee, confirmed on Monday that 15 tourists from Hong Kong were still held hostage by a gunman in the Philippine capital Manila.

He said five tourists, including three children and two women, and a local guide were released by the gunman.

Lee said the Hong Kong government has set up a task force for the abduction incident, which was led by Lee himself. It has asked the Philippine government to put safety of the abducted Hong Kong residents as top priority.

Lee also said the Department of Immigration of the Hong Kong government has sent two persons to Manila to handle the incident.

Apart from the 15 tourists, the gunman also held the tour guide, one bus driver and two cameramen who are reportedly negotiating with the hijacker.

A total of 20 tourists and one guide from Hong Kong were onboard the bus when they were taken hostage by a dismissed Filipino policeman.

Lau Mei-sze, manager of Hong Thai travel agency which had organized the tour, said the 21 Hong Kongers had planned to come back to Hong Kong on Monday evening after a 4-day trip to the Philippines.