Bus hostage crisis ends with 7 dead

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A dramatic hostage-taking in the capital ended with six bus passengers dead today after shots rang out and police stormed the vehicle.

The hostage-taker also died, police said.

Five hostages were brought to the Manila Hospital, two of them dead on arrival and three alive without injuries.

The Manila Doctors Hospital reported it received four dead and one woman in critical condition.

The incident 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 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, opened fire at the tourists.

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