Crisis contingency: Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee briefs the media on the Government's actions to help Hong Kong hostages in the Philippines.

The Hong Kong Government is sending officers from the Immigration Department and Police to Manila, after a Hong Kong tour group's bus was hijacked and everyone inside taken hostage this morning.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang said the Government is "highly concerned" and he will work with the Secretary for Security to handle the issue. The Government will enhance its response if the situation deteriorates.

"There are indications the man who held up the tourist group is an ex-policeman who wants to be reinstated after being sacked," Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee told reporters this afternoon, adding the Hong Kong tour operator says the group consisted of 21 passengers. There were also some local Filipinos on the bus.

Both the Chief Executive and Chief Secretary have stressed the bureau should help the hostages return to Hong Kong as safely and quickly as possible.

"We have sought the help of the Chinese embassy in Manila to deal with the case," Mr Lee said. The Security Bureau has also contacted the Philippine Consul General in Hong Kong and asked them to ensure the hostages' safety.

"We also requested the incident be resolved in a peaceful manner," he said.