Police move in, some hostages leave bus

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Police stormed a bus this evening after shots were heard from the hostage-taker of 15 Chinese tourists, and at least four of the hostages crawled out of the back door.

The hostage-taker was killed, said Senior Superintendent Nelson Yabut.

There was no immediate confirmation of any other casualties in the daylong standoff in downtown Manila, which started when a dismissed policeman armed with an M16 rifle seized the busload of Hong Kong tourists to demand his reinstatement in the force.

Police had now regained control of the bus, and in pouring rain, ambulances lined up next to the vehicle.

Earlier, police officer Roderick Mariano cited the driver who escaped moments before police surrounded the bus as saying the hostage-taker, identified as former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, 55, had opened fire at the tourists.

The gunman earlier released nine hostages — leaving 15 inside — and demanded his job back to free the rest.

According to newspaper reports from 2008, he was among five officers charged with robbery, extortion and grave threats after a hotel chef filed a complaint alleging the policemen falsely accused him of using drugs to extort money.

Hong Thai Travel Services Ltd. General Manager Susanna Lau told Hong Kong's Cable TV the tour group had left the Chinese territory of Hong Kong on Aug. 20 for a visit to Manila and was scheduled to fly back to Hong Kong today. She said a Hong Kong tour guide and 20 tourists from the territory — three children and 17 adults — were on the bus. There were also four Filipinos on board.

Mendoza hitched a ride on the bus from the historic walled city of Intramuros and then "declared he is taking the passengers hostage" when it reached Jose Rizal Park alongside Manila Bay, police said.

The area also includes the seaside US Embassy and a number of hotels.