Filtered By: Topstories
News

Manila hostage-taker, at least 4 hostages killed


(Updated 10 p.m.) The dismissed policeman who held more than 20 people hostage inside a tourist bus in Manila Monday for close to 11 hours was killed by SWAT operatives in a daring nighttime assault. At least four hostages were also killed, according to presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. Two fatalities were brought to Ospital ng Maynila, according to a report by Mariz Umali in QTV's "News on Q." Most of the hostages were Chinese tourists. "24 Oras" said at least six wounded hostages were brought at the Ospital ng Maynila and Philippine General Hospital. Earlier, a sniper claimed to have shot hostage-taker, former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, who was armed with an M16 rifle. GMA News reporter Raffy Tima said Mendoza was shot in the head. Rapid fire Rapid fire from inside the bus was seen at around 8:18 p.m., according to "24 Oras." A male bystander, aged 10-14, was hit by a stray bullet and was rushed to a hospital. The report said that around 30 SWAT members were involved in the assault. Some of the policemen pounded at the bus windows using sledgehammers to gain entry. Moments after first shots were fired, the driver of the bus, who was earlier reported handcuffed to the steering wheel, escaped. He reportedly said most of the hostages were dead. The shots were fired early evening after the bus showed signs of driving off from where it was parked in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park. The shots were also fired minutes after SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, brother of hostage-taker, was arrested by elements of the Manila Police District (MPD). Nine of the more than 20 hostages were earlier released. The standoff began at about 9:30 a.m. Sharpshooters take positions In the morning, police sharpshooters took positions around the white-blue-red bus. The road was sealed off as officers negotiated with the hostage-taker. In the afternoon, Mendoza released two women, three children, a diabetic man and three Filipinos. MPD chief Rodolfo Magtibay said Mendoza demanded to have his job back as a law enforcer after he was dismissed from the service. Mendoza was reportedly one of the five officers charged with robbery, extortion and grave threats after they allegedly accused a chef of the Manila Hotel of using drugs to extort money in 2008. While releasing some of his hostages, Mendoza demanded that his son be brought to Manila via an Air Force helicopter. But Philippine Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol said, "There is no official request so far. We're monitoring the situation." Demands Mendoza wrote some of his demands on paper and posted it on the bus windows. Before noon, he posted: "Big mistake to correct a big wrong decision." He later plastered new messages such as "Big deal will start after 3 p.m. today." and "Three p.m. today dead lock." Gregorio Mendoza asked another 30 minutes from his brother — the hostage-taker — to express to the media his demands. "Nung nagkausap kami, sabi niya wala na daw saysay ang buhay niya kasi tatanggalin daw ng [Philippine National Police] yung retirement pay at benefits niya," said Gregorio, whose brother will retire on January 10, 2011. "Sabi rin niya, PNP can't give dismissal order kapag pending ang motion for reconsideration," the hostage-taker's brother said. Later Mendoza asked hostage negotiators — Superintendent Orlando Yebra and Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador — to load up another gallon of gasoline into the air-conditioned bus. Earlier in the day, he asked that the bus be refueled. Mendoza plastered again a new message on the bus windows. It noted: "Media now." He sought for an interview with a broadcast journalist to help him negotiate with authorities for his demand to be reinstated to work. TOP policeman Mendoza was formerly with the Manila police's mobile patrol. Mendoza was a former recipient of the 1986 Ten Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines of the Jaycees International. It can be recalled that civil engineer Jun Ducat, a day-care center owner, held more than 30 youngsters and teachers hostage on a bus some time in 2007. The standoff, which Ducat used to denounce corruption and demand better lives for impoverished children, lasted about 10 hours. He was charged with 32 counts of illegal detention and abduction, illegal possession of explosives and illegal possession of firearms. – Jesse Edep and Jerrie Abella/KBK/VS, GMANews.TV - KBK/VS, GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT