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 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Gunmen seize bus in Philippines | Gunmen seize bus in Philippines |
| (40 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. | 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 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 apparently unharmed. One boy suffering from a fever has been released. | 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. |
| Reports suggested that the lead hostage-taker, a man who identified himself as Jun Ducat, was the owner of the day-care 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 station | Radio station |
| The man 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 centre. | He said that he was seeking a promise of education and housing for the 145 children from the centre. |
| In pictures: Hostage crisis | In 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, boarded the bus for a short time to try to persuade Mr Ducat 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." | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 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: |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |