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Gunmen seize bus in Philippines Gunmen seize bus in Philippines
(about 3 hours 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. 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.
Special police are negotiating with the hostage-takers, who said they were armed with guns and grenades. 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.
One of the men told a local radio station that they were seeking education for a group of children. Police and worried parents surrounded the bus as the drama unfolded outside Manila City Hall.
TV pictures showed children on the bus apparently unharmed. One boy suffering from a fever has been released. Mr Ducat told local media he had no intention of harming the children.
The children were from a day-care centre in the poor Tondo district of the capital. 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.
Reports suggested that the lead hostage-taker, a man who identified himself as Jun Ducat, was the owner of the day-care centre. "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.
Radio station One boy suffering from a fever was released.
The man used his mobile telephone to call a local radio station. Ice cream
He said that he was seeking a promise of education and housing for the 145 children from the centre. 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 Mr Ducat to surrender.
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."
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.""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. Television pictures showed children waving from the bus, and ice cream was seen being delivered by a policeman.
Officials said a man called 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.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.
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