MANILA, Philippines - Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo moved to calm tensions between the Chinese government and the Philippines over Monday’s hostage incident which killed 8 Hong Kong tourists.

Arroyo wrote Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang and People’s Republic of China Prime Minister Wen Jiabao separate letters of condolences and assure them that justice will be done.

Arroyo’s successor, President Benigno Aquino III continues to draw flak for the mishandling of the incident and the apparent failure to communicate with the Chinese over the incident.

In the same breath, the former leader, now Pampanga’s 2nd district Representative in Congress, also condemned Monday’s incident.

Arroyo is a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Relations and as president, enjoyed good working relations with the Chinese, which was tainted by the National Broadband Network-ZTE deal controversy.

Arroyo's record on hostage crises

In a separate statement, Arroyo’s spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn said the former leader expressed sadness over the incident, even as she noted that the Arroyo administration managed to save the hostages in similar incidents during their 9-year stay in power.

“Dr. Gloria M. Arroyo is saddened with the result of the hostage-taking incident last Monday. As you know, Dr. Arroyo has shown time and again that in similar incidents, whether in the Philippines or when Angelo dela Cruz was held hostage overseas, she has always shown her focus on saving even if only a single life,” Bautista said.

Bautista also expressed the former leader’s disappointment that the incident even happened.

“As the former head of our government, she has sent her condolences to the Hong Kong government. As a Filipino, who like other Filipinos, has enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of Hong Kong, she condoles with the family and loved ones of the victims and that, with much disappointment, this tragedy happened in the Philippines,” Bautista said.

In a separate text message, Bautista said Arroyo “is doing her part to help the country since she’s former president and had very good relations with China during her term and knows the importance of foreign relations and that many Chinese nationals come to the country as tourists or investors and many of our OFWS (overseas Filipino workers) are in HK”.

'Punish those responsible'

In her letter to Tsang, Arroyo called for the punishment of those accountable for the violent turn of the negotiations.

“It was a senseless and reprehensible act of brutality that deserves nothing but strong condemnation. I look forward to the outcome of the government’s investigation into this unfortunate incident.

Whoever may be held accountable for the violent turn in the negotiations should be penalized accordingly. This is the only way by which we could truly honor the memory of the victims and give justice to the families in their hour of bereavement,” Arroyo said in her letter.

Arroyo also tried to ensure that bilateral relations do not take a turn for the worse.

“It is my earnest hope that despite this deplorable incident, the goodwill that exists between the people of Hong Kong and the Filipino people will remain undiminished,” she said.

In the separate letter to Wen, Arroyo said, “In strongest terms, I condemn this brutal slaying which has stirred outrage and has caused much pain to the Chinese nation. I shall follow closely the government’s conduct of investigation into this tragic incident that would determine possible culpability on the part of the authorities. Though nothing could ever wipe away the grief of the bereaved families, justice must prevail to honor the memory of their loved ones.”