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Children held in Manila bus siege Manila bus siege children freed
(about 2 hours later)
The head of a day care centre in the Philippines has seized a busload of his children, saying he is demanding better housing and education for them. A group of children held hostage on board a bus by the head of their day care centre in the Philippines have been freed.
The man identified as Jun Ducat, and at least one other armed hostage-taker, took the 32 children and two teachers hostage as they departed for a trip. The 32 children and two teachers were released after spending several hours in the bus by a man identified as Jun Ducat and another armed hostage-taker.
Police and worried parents surrounded the bus as the drama unfolded outside Manila City Hall. Mr Ducat said he had carried out the drastic action to demand better housing and education for the children.
Mr Ducat is reported to have agreed to free the children at 1900 (1100GMT). The two hostage-takers came out with their hands raised.
But the reported deadline has now passed without any sign of an end to the siege. Thousands of people had gathered at the scene - along with police and worried parents - near Manila City Hall to see the surrender in the early evening.
Mr Ducat had earlier told local media he had no intention of harming the children. Mr Ducat had earlier told local media he had no intention of harming the children. One boy suffering from a fever was released in the middle of the siege.
Using a mobile phone from the bus, Mr Ducat said he was demanding better housing and education for the 145 children at his centre in Manila's poor Tondo district.Using a mobile phone from the bus, Mr Ducat said he was demanding better housing and education for the 145 children at his centre in Manila's poor Tondo district.
"I am so sorry I took these children in a violent action to call the attention of the Filipino people to open their minds to the police reality," he said."I am so sorry I took these children in a violent action to call the attention of the Filipino people to open their minds to the police reality," he said.
One boy suffering from a fever was released.
Huge crowdsHuge crowds
Some of the parents who had gathered at the cordon were reported to be in near hysteria as the struggled to make sense of the unfolding events. Some of the parents who had gathered at the cordon had earlier voiced their distress as they struggled to make sense of the unfolding events.
"[Mr Ducat] told us it was a field trip. We knew Mr Ducat and he has been very kind. Please let our children go," Clara Moreno was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying."[Mr Ducat] told us it was a field trip. We knew Mr Ducat and he has been very kind. Please let our children go," Clara Moreno was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
In pictures: Hostage crisisIn pictures: Hostage crisis
A local office worker told the BBC News website that huge crowds had gathered at the scene.
"TV stations, firetrucks, an ambulance, and policemen are also around the area," Ryan Buaron said.
"I think it was a good thing that bus is airconditioned because the temperature outside is too warm."
The hostage-takers told police via messages on cardboard that they possessed an Uzi assault rifle, a revolver and two grenades, as well as food and water for two days.The hostage-takers told police via messages on cardboard that they possessed an Uzi assault rifle, a revolver and two grenades, as well as food and water for two days.
A local senator, Ramon Revilla, who was reported to have known Mr Ducat, boarded the bus for a short time to try to persuade him to surrender.A local senator, Ramon Revilla, who was reported to have known Mr Ducat, boarded the bus for a short time to try to persuade him to surrender.
"He has requested more time and he would come out with the children," the senator told journalists after he got off the bus. "I am asking the police not to make any move that would agitate him." Television pictures showed the children waving from the bus, and ice cream was seen being delivered by a policeman.
Television pictures showed children waving from the bus, and ice cream was seen being delivered by a policeman.
Officials said Jun Ducat was involved in a hostage-taking incident using fake grenades 20 years ago.Officials said Jun Ducat was involved in a hostage-taking incident using fake grenades 20 years ago.
Gen Reynaldo Varilla, head of the national capital region police command, told local radio he had instructions to ensure no-one got hurt.
"Hopefully we can convince the hostage-takers," he said.
This is the second hostage situation in Manila in two weeks. On 14 March, police shot dead a marine who took four people hostage in a court over an eviction issue.This is the second hostage situation in Manila in two weeks. On 14 March, police shot dead a marine who took four people hostage in a court over an eviction issue.
Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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