Grandstand carnage

MANILA, Philippines - A dismissed policeman armed with an assault rifle hijacked a bus packed with tourists, and killed most of its passengers in a 10 hour-hostage drama shown live on national television until last night.

Former police senior inspector Rolando Mendoza was shot dead by a sniper at past 9 p.m.

Mendoza hijacked the bus and took 21 Chinese tourists hostage, demanding his reinstatement to the police force.

The hostage drama dragged on even after the driver of the bus managed to escape and told police that all the remaining passengers had been killed.

Late into the night assault forces surrounded the bus and tried to gain entry, but a pair of dead hostages handcuffed to the door made it difficult for them. Police said they fired at the wheels of the bus to immobilize it.

Police used hammers to smash windows, door and windshield but were met with intermittent fire from the hostage taker.

Police also used tear gas in an effort to confirm if the remaining hostages were all dead or alive. When the standoff ended at nearly 9 p.m., some four hostages were rescued alive while Mendoza was killed by a sniper.

Initial reports said some 30 policemen stormed the bus. Shots also rang out, sending bystanders scampering for safety.

It took the policemen almost two hours to assault the bus because gunfire reportedly rang out from inside the bus.

Mendoza hijacked the tourist bus in the morning and took the tourists hostage.

Mendoza, who claimed he was illegally dismissed from the police service, initially released nine of the hostages during the drama that began at 10 a.m. and played out live on national television.

Live television footage showed Mendoza asking for food for those remaining in the bus, which was delivered, and fuel to keep the air-conditioning going.

The disgruntled former police officer was reportedly armed with an M-16 rifle, a 9 mm pistol and two hand grenades.

Mendoza posted a handwritten note on the windows of the bus, saying “big deal will start after 3 p.m. today.” Another sign stuck to another window said “3 p.m. today deadlock.”

Stressing his demand, Mendoza stuck a piece of paper with a handwritten message: “Big mistake to correct a big wrong decision.” A larger piece of paper on the front windshield was headed, “Release final decision,” apparently referring to the case that led to his dismissal from the police force.

Negotiations dragged on even after Mendoza’s self-imposed deadline.

Senior Police Officer 2 Gregorio Mendoza said his brother was upset over his dismissal from the police force.

“His problem was he was unjustly removed from service. There was no due process, no hearing, no complaint,” Gregorio said.

Last night, Gregorio was arrested by his colleagues on suspicions of being an accessory to his brother’s action.

Tensions rose as relatives tried to prevent lawmen from arresting Gregorio in front of national television.

This triggered the crisis that eventually forced Mendoza to carry out his threat and kill the remaining hostages.

Negotiators led by Superintendent Orlando Yebra and Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador tried to talk Mendoza into surrendering and releasing the 21 hostages, mostly children and three Filipinos, including the driver, the tourist guide and a photographer.

Yebra reportedly lent a cellphone to allow communications with Mendoza inside the bus, which was parked in front of the Quirino Grandstand.

Children could be seen peeking from the drawn curtains of the bus while police negotiators hovered near the scene.

Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay ordered the deployment of crack police teams and snipers near the scene.

A crisis management committee had been activated with Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno coordinating the actions with the MPD.

Earlier last night, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez had a meeting with Moreno to discuss Mendoza’s case that led to his dismissal from the service.

Ombudsman spokesman Jose de Jesus said Gutierrez gave a “sealed letter” to Moreno to be delivered to Mendoza.

De Jesus did not elaborate on the contents of the letter but said Moreno was tasked to personally deliver the letter to Mendoza.

MPD spokesman Chief Inspector Edwin Margarejo said Mendoza was apparently distraught by the slow process of the Ombudsman in deciding his motion for reconsideration.

He said the PNP-Internal Affairs Service and the Manila Regional Trial Court had already dismissed criminal cases against him.

The hostage drama began when Mendoza flagged down the Hong Thai Travel Tourist bus (TVU-799), pretending to hitch a ride.

Margarejo said the bus had just left Fort Santiago in Intramuros when Mendoza asked the driver to let him get on and ride to Quirino Grandstand.

Upon reaching the Quirino Grandstand, Mendoza announced to the passengers that they would be taken hostage.

“Having worn his (police) uniform, of course there is no doubt that he already planned the hostage taking,” Margarejo said. –Sandy Araneta, Nestor Etolle, Delon Porcalla, Amanda Fisher, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Christina Mendez, AP