Dismissed police inspector takes tourist bus hostage in Philippines

Manila, Philippines (News Today) - A dismissed police inspector demanding that his job be reinstated took a tourist bus hostage in Manila Monday morning, police told CNN.

There were 25 people on the bus, including 22 foreigners, Manila District Police official Rodolfo Magtibay said.

Magtibay said the dismissed inspector, Rolando Mendoza, wrote his demand on a board and displayed it in the bus windshield.

Mendoza was wearing his uniform and carrying a rifle when he flagged down the tourist bus and asked for a ride, police spokesman Erwin Margarejo told reporters about two hours after the hostage situation began.

Six hostages from Hong Kong -- three women and three children -- were released, Margarejo said. CNN affiliate ANC later showed images of another man leaving the bus with a negotiator.

Those still on board the bus were calm, but confused, Margarejo said. ANC showed passengers peeking out from behind curtains of the parked bus and a sign posted on the bus door saying, "Big mistake to correct a big wrong decision."

Margarejo said negotiations were continuing.

"The use of force is a last resort," he said.

Mendoza was dismissed a year ago for misconduct unbecoming a police officer, he said.

Police cordoned off the area around the bus as they tried to negotiate, and sharpshooters were stationed nearby. Food was delivered to the hostages still on board.

Source : CNN

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