Passenger bus held hostage in Manila; at least 1 hurt

In 30 minutes, the Manila police were able to neutralize the hostage-taker aboard the Alabang-bound bus. TARRA QUISMUNDO

A passenger bus was held hostage on Thursday afternoon by an unidentified man along Taft Avenue in Manila, the police said.

The Manila Police District said a man armed with a knife held hostage the passengers of a southbound HM Transport Bus past 2 p.m. near LRT Pedro Gil Station.

Supt. Albert Barot said the perpetrator was shot 30 minutes after the police were alerted on the incident.

READ: Taft hostage-taker shot dead

The still unidentified hostage-taker was rushed to Philippine General Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

A victim, which was only identified as a student, was also brought to PGH after sustaining slight injury.

“The police have to immediately act because there is already a threat to the life of the victim,” Barot said.

READ: 2010 lesson learned: Manila bus hostage-taking over in 30 minutes

“We’ve learned our lesson,” Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso later told reporters, referring to the 2010 Quirino Grandstand bus hostage crisis which resulted in the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists and injured several others. The hostage-taker, a dismissed policeman, was killed by a responding SWAT team. Nestor Corrales, with reports by Tetch Torres-Tupas and Tarra Quismundo/RC

Manila police shoot dead the bus’ hostage-taker. TETCH TORRES-TUPAS

Updated at 4:26 p.m.