The mayor of Manila says he will formally apologise to Hong Kong for the bungled bus siege in the Philippines capital in 2010 in which eight people from the Chinese territory were killed.

The former Philippines president, Joseph Estrada, plans to personally deliver a written apology to Hong Kong for the incident.

“It happened here in the city of Manila where I am now the mayor, I feel it’s my duty to apologize,” he said.

However Mr Estrada’s contrition will not alter the stance of the Philippines government.

President Benigno Aquino continues to say his government will not apologise for the crime of the gunman.

“Our position is the act of one individual who was probably mentally unstable at the point in time should not be construed as the act of the entire country,” he said.

A member of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, James To, believes the apology is insufficient, saying city government officials cannot represent the national government in state affairs.