Passengers of bus bound for Manila held hostage by soldier

LEGAZPI CITY — An Army corporal was reported to be holding hostage Friday a Peñafrancia Tours passenger bus at the Maharlika Highway in Del Gallego town in Camarines Sur.

A sketchy report reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol said one Army Cpl. Rene Prajele, allegedly armed with an M16 rifle, was holding hostage 31 passengers of the bus that came from Naga City and was bound for Manila.

The hostage-taking incident was still ongoing as of 3 p.m., according to the exchange of messages in the Facebook page of local police and army authorities that is accessible to local reporters.