Gunman Says All Hijacked Bus Hostages Dead
Tom Bonnett, Sky News Online
A sacked policeman who has hijacked a tourist bus in an attempt to get his job back was reportedly screaming "all the hostages are dead" after police tried to get on board.
Former Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza, 55, told local radio he would kill the tourists if police approached the vehicle.
"I can see a lot of SWAT (special weapons and tactics police) coming in. I know they will kill me," the gunman told the Radio Mindanao Network.
"They should all leave because anytime I will do the same here."
But police shot the bus tyres to immobilise it. Soon after two gunshots were heard and Mendoza said two of the tourists from Hong Kong had been killed.
Officers moved to the side of the bus and crouched with their guns held in the air before making an attempt to get on board.
As they tried, Mendoza is believed to have opened fire and Radio Mindanao Network reported he was screaming "all hostages are dead".
There were believed to be at least 15 people on board after nine were released earlier on.
Police are not sure if Mendoza survived or whether any of the hostages are alive but there are no signs of life.
At least 30 shots have been fired and police are fearing the worst.
They are now struggling to get on board because the main door and emergency door are both blocked.
One officer is swinging a sledgehammer to smash the glass and try and force his way through the main door.
Police storm the bus
Police storm the bus carrying tourists from Hong Kong
More than a year after he was fired Mendoza boarded the bus at the historic walled city of Intramuros.
When the bus reached Jose Rizal Park alongside Manila Bay he pulled out an M16 automatic rifle and declared he was taking the passengers hostage.
Earlier he pasted a handwritten, signed note to the door of the bus which read: "Big deal will start after 3pm today."
Also stuck to the bus door was a piece of paper with the handwritten message: "Big mistake to correct a big wrong decision."
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