Arroyo extends condolences to HK, China leaders

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday sent letters to Chinese officials, condemning the hostage taking incident in Manila and expressing her condolences. In a letter to Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Arroyo described the incident as a “senseless and reprehensible act of brutality that deserves nothing but strong condemnation." On August 23, dismissed Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, hijacked a bus carrying 21 Hong Kong tourists and four Filipinos. After an 11-hour hostage drama, nine people died— the hostage-taker and eight Hong Kong tourists. “I look forward to the outcome of the government’s investigation into this unfortunate incident," she said. Arroyo said those accountable for the violent turn in the negotiations should be penalized as it is the only way to honor the memory of the victims and give justice to the families in their hour of bereavement. Despite the incident, Arroyo expressed hope that “the goodwill that exists between the people of Hong Kong and the Filipino people will remain undiminished." In a separate letter to Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Arroyo said she will follow closely the government’s investigation to determine the possible culpability of certain authorities. “Though nothing could ever wipe away the grief of the bereaved families, justice must prevail to honor the memory of their loved ones," she said. House resolution Meanwhile, the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening adopted a resolution expressing the chamber’s sympathy and condolence to the families of the hostage victims. In House Resolution 297, Rep. Alfrancis Bichara, house foreign affairs committee chairman; Ako Bicol partylist Reps. Christopher Co, Rodel Batocabe and Alfredo Garbin Jr stressed the need to assuage the emotional pain and trauma suffered by the survivors and families of those killed in the tragedy. The House ordered that copies of the resolution be given to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the country and the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong. Angelo dela Cruz In a press statement, Arroyo’s spokesperson, Len Bautista-Horn, recounted the former President's action when a Filipino truck driver, Angelo dela Cruz, was abducted in Iraq in 2004. “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-Horn said. Bautista-Horn, however, refused to comment on how the Aquino administration handled the hostage-taking incident on August 23. –VVP, GMANews.TV