The guy who was waving in front of the tourists bus entrance was the hostage taker, Captain Rolando Mendoza's who was still alive.
(Photo by LINUS G. ESCANDOR II)
Headline news in the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila, Philippines today August 23, 2010 and still on going, is the hostage taking of a former Captain Rolando Mendoza who hostage a tourists bus due to his dismissal from office. According to the news media, hostage taking started to occur at around 7:00 AM but was only reported to the public at around 10 AM today. Also tv reports mentioned that there are 20 Chinese National Tourists and three Filipinos were hostage taken by Mendoza. As of now, 8:17 PM, credible sources believed that all of the 15 chinese nationals are dead already because they is no more movements to be seen. As confirmed by the driver of the bus named Alberto Lubang, who was able to escape from the bus, told the authorities that all the Chinese tourists who were suppose to go home today were held hostage and was believed by authorities present at the location that they are dead already. It was believed that Mendoza killed all the tourists in one portion of the bus and shots them successively. Six of the seven foreigners who were released are from Hong Kong. They are Tsan Yee Lai, 40; Fuchak Yin, 10; Wong Chin Nat, 12; Fu Chang Yin, 4; Diana Chan; and Lee See Kyu.
The criminal acts was prompted by Mendoza's dismissal from office and he was demanding from the public officials for his reinstatement from the office. But it went unheeded that's why he hostage the tourists and eventually shots those hostages. Mendoza was dismissed from his office due to several complaints filed against him in the Office of the Ombudsman due to extortion case.
According to the bus driver, Mendoza was able to board the bus when he told the driver that he would just hitch a ride. Once inside, he declared hostage and commandeered the bus driver until they reached Rizal Park. Mendoza signed a note saying, "BIG DEAL WILL START AFTER 3 PM TODAY," which was stuck to the door of the bus. Another sign stuck in the window stated, "3PM TODAY DEADLOCK." Another one at the bus door stating, "BIG MISTAKE TO CORRECT A BIG WRONG DECISION." Another one at the window stating, "RELEASE FINAL DECISION."
Hong Kong authorities sent two officials here in Manila and a hot line was set up in Hong Kong for families of the hostages. Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Ambrose Lee mentioned that he was hoping that the incident will be resolve peacefully and that the hostages will be released safely and quickly as possible.
According to the bus driver, Mendoza was able to board the bus when he told the driver that he would just hitch a ride. Once inside, he declared hostage and commandeered the bus driver until they reached Rizal Park. Mendoza signed a note saying, "BIG DEAL WILL START AFTER 3 PM TODAY," which was stuck to the door of the bus. Another sign stuck in the window stated, "3PM TODAY DEADLOCK." Another one at the bus door stating, "BIG MISTAKE TO CORRECT A BIG WRONG DECISION." Another one at the window stating, "RELEASE FINAL DECISION."
Hong Kong authorities sent two officials here in Manila and a hot line was set up in Hong Kong for families of the hostages. Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Ambrose Lee mentioned that he was hoping that the incident will be resolve peacefully and that the hostages will be released safely and quickly as possible.
At around 7:00 PM, the police authorities has not taken control of the situation and still Mendoza is inside the bus. One policeman was shot on the process.
Updates as of 8:24 PM, continuous gunshots were fired by Mendoza directed to all the policeman. According to the authorities, Mendoza was equipped with various high powered firearms which makes it difficult for the policeman to stabilize the situation at hand. When the automatic fire was shot, a civilian on looker was wounded.
Six of the seven foreigners released are from Hong Kong. They are Tsan Yee Lai, 40; Fuchak Yin, 10; Wong Chin Nat, 12; Fu Chang Yin, 4; Diana Chan; and Lee See Kyu.
As of 8:40 PM, successive shots were heard now coming from inside the bus after the teargas was thrown by the police authorities inside the gun. Then a lifeless body was seen laying dead in the entry door. News were thinking that the body was from Captain Roberto Mendoza. But still we have to confirmed if it was really him.
As of 8:46 PM, four hostages were seen coming out from the emergency exit door of the bus. two female and two male who were believed to be teenagers. According to news team, Mendoza is wearing blue shirt and fatigue pants equipped with one cellphone and several magazine of ammunitions. One injured female emerged from the bus and another two lifeless body of two females were found. One female lifeless body was shot on the head.
As of 8:56 PM, one female body was taken out from the bus window while one female woman got out from the bus who appears to be crying a lot.
Six of the seven foreigners released are from Hong Kong. They are Tsan Yee Lai, 40; Fuchak Yin, 10; Wong Chin Nat, 12; Fu Chang Yin, 4; Diana Chan; and Lee See Kyu.
As of 8:40 PM, successive shots were heard now coming from inside the bus after the teargas was thrown by the police authorities inside the gun. Then a lifeless body was seen laying dead in the entry door. News were thinking that the body was from Captain Roberto Mendoza. But still we have to confirmed if it was really him.
As of 8:46 PM, four hostages were seen coming out from the emergency exit door of the bus. two female and two male who were believed to be teenagers. According to news team, Mendoza is wearing blue shirt and fatigue pants equipped with one cellphone and several magazine of ammunitions. One injured female emerged from the bus and another two lifeless body of two females were found. One female lifeless body was shot on the head.
As of 8:56 PM, one female body was taken out from the bus window while one female woman got out from the bus who appears to be crying a lot.
According to reliable sources who was present in Manila Doctors Hospital there was one hostage victim who was bleeding at lot due to a slit cut on his/her throat. The medical team tried to revive the said victim at the ambulance but the medical team declared that the victim is already dead. DOA.
Below is a video footage from the location of the hostage taking.
I think he is the guy beside the Asian tourist that who is already dead. He tries to avoid the teargas that makes him get to the front door.
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