.png)
.jpg)
Seven killed in Philippine hostage drama
At least seven Hong Kong tourists were killed during a dramatic hostage siege in the Philippine capital today, doctors said.
The toll was confirmed by the Hong Kong government.
Metropolitan Manila police chief Director Leocadio Santiago said police could not immediately give an exact figure for the casualties and those who survived.
A total of 22 Hong Kong tourists and three Filipinos were aboard the tourist bus when sacked police senior inspector Rolando Mendoza seized the vehicle early this morning, demanding that he be reinstated.
He released nine people during police negotiations, including two Filipinos.
The remaining Filipino, the bus driver, escaped when Mendoza began shooting at the hostages by nightfall, forcing police to launch an assault in a bid to free the 15 hostages still on the bus.
