Manila Hostage Drama Ends with 7 Deaths

August 23, 2010 (Manila, Philippines). A 12 hour hostage drama ended with the death of the hostage taker and at least 7 Hong Kong nationals.

The Hong Thai Travel tourist bus was hijacked by a former police officer demanding reinstatement to the service. It started around 10:00am Monday (10:00PM EST Sunday) when Mendoza, the hijacker, flagged down to bus and asked for a free ride. He was wearing a uniform and was carrying a rifle.  Though the Hong Thai Travel tour guide tried to stop him from boarding the bus, but he managed to get inside and asked the driver to lock the door.

General Manager Susana Lau said that Mendoza did not in any way threaten the people inside the bus.

There were 25 people inside, 22 of which are foreigners and mostly were Hong Kong nationals.

Mendoza communicated through notes displayed in the bus windshield, demanding his job back. During that time, the hostages remained calm but confused.

Philippine police had surrounded the area as they tried to negotiate with Mendoza. Snipers were also stationed nearby. Food was even delivered to the hostages. Later in the afternoon, the hijacker released 9 of the hostages which include a diabetic man, a woman with her 3 children and 2 official photographers.

Around 2:00pm, Mendoza a note was seen on the bus’ windshield saying “Big deal will start after 3 pm today” and “3 pm today dead lock.” However, there were no changes in the situation despite that 2 hours have already lapsed.

Another note was then again displayed saying, “Big mistake to correct a big wrong decision.”

Mendoza was dismissed in the service over a year ago. He asked for a motion for reconsideration but felt neglected. In order to be heard, he hijacked a bus full of foreign people.

Later in the afternoon, Mendoza’s brother was arrested because he was suspected to be an accessory to the crime. He was also alleged to have helped instigate the shooting. When he was being arrested, he kept on shouting, “Don’t let go until they give my gun back! Don’t let go!”

All those time, Mendoza was watching it live on the television inside the bus. An earlier calm person has suddenly become hostile and started shooting blindly at the hostages. At around 8:00pm, the Philippine police stormed the bus with 15 hostages, killing Mendoza.

The following day, the Hong Kong government has issued a black signal warning, urging its citizens to avoid all travels to the Philippines.

There are about 150,000 Filipinos who are currently living and working in Hong Kong, most of them are employed as domestic helpers. They fear that they may be discriminated against because of the tragic event.

In Manila, Philippine President Benigno Aquino III had order an investigation of the said incident to determine whether anyone should lose his or her job. He said, “as the President, my opinion might already sway the investigative panel, which might hamper them in ferreting the truth, so I will not do that at this time.”

The President declared August 25, 2010 as the National Day of Mourning for Hong Kong tourists that were killed in the hostage.

Photo from: Yahoo News Philippines

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