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Gunmen seize bus in Philippines Gunmen seize bus in Philippines
(30 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.
Special police have surrounded the bus and are negotiating with the hostage-takers, who said they were armed with guns and grenades. Special police 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 apparently unharmed. One boy suffering from a fever has been released.
The children were from a day-care centre in the poor Tondo district of the capital.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. Reports suggested that the lead hostage-taker, a man who identified himself as Jun Ducat, was the owner of the day-care centre.
Radio stationRadio station
One of the men, who identified himself as Jun Ducat, used his mobile telephone to call a local radio station. The man 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. He said that he was seeking a promise of education and housing for the 145 children from the 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, boarded the bus for a short time to try to persuade the gunmen to surrender.
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.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.
Officials said a man called Jun Ducat was involved in a hostage-taking incident using fake grenades 20 years ago.Officials said a man called 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.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."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.