This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6501695.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Gunmen seize bus in Philippines Gunmen seize bus in Philippines
(10 minutes later)
At least two men have taken at least 30 children and several teachers hostage on a bus near the centre of the Philippines capital Manila, police say.At least two men have taken at least 30 children and several teachers hostage on a bus near the centre of the Philippines capital Manila, police say.
Special police have surrounded the bus and are negotiating with the hostage-takers, who said they were armed with guns and grenades.Special police have surrounded the bus and are negotiating with the hostage-takers, who said they were armed with guns and grenades.
One of the men told a local radio station that they were seeking education for a group of children.One of the men told a local radio station that they were seeking education for a group of children.
TV pictures showed children on the bus waving, but they appeared unharmed.TV pictures showed children on the bus waving, but they appeared unharmed.
The children, from a day-care centre in a poor district of the capital, were reportedly on a tour of Manila. The children were from a day-care centre in the poor Tondo district of the capital.
Initial reports suggested the armed men had stormed the bus, but police later said it appeared that they had boarded it at the centre.
Radio stationRadio station
One of the men, who identified himself as Jun Ducat, told a radio station via his mobile phone that they were seeking education and housing for 145 children from the day-care centre. One of the men, who identified himself as Jun Ducat, used his mobile telephone to call a local radio station.
He said that he was seeking a promise of education and housing for the 145 children from the day-care centre.
In pictures: Hostage crisisIn pictures: Hostage crisis
"I love these children, that's why I am here," he said. "I will not start any shooting.""I love these children, that's why I am here," he said. "I will not start any shooting."
A local politician, Senator Ramon Revilla, got onto the bus to try to persuade the gunmen to surrender.A local politician, Senator Ramon Revilla, got onto the bus to try to persuade the gunmen to surrender.
The men are said to have told police via messages on cardboard that they possessed an Uzi assault rifle, a revolver and two grenades. The men 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.
"Hopefully we can convince the hostage-takers," Gen Reynaldo Varilla, head of the national capital region police command, told local radio. Officials said a man called Jun Ducat was involved in a hostage-taking incident using fake grenades 20 years ago.
"I have instructions to ensure no one gets hurt." Gen Reynaldo Varilla, head of the national capital region police command, told local radio he had instructions to ensure no-one got hurt.
Initial reports had suggested the men had stormed the bus, but a police official, Senior Superintendent Danilo Abarzosa, said that was not the case. "Hopefully we can convince the hostage-takers," he said.
"They were already inside the bus when it left [the day-care centre]," 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, a marine took four people hostage in a court over an eviction issue.