Disgruntled ex-cop takes tourists hostage

A dismissed policeman armed with an automatic rifle seized a bus in the Philippine capital Monday with 25 passengers aboard, most of them Hong Kong tourists, in a bid to demand his reinstatement, police said, according to AP.

   Six hostages, including three children, were subsequently released.

   Police sharpshooters took positions around the white-blue-red bus, which was parked near a downtown Manila park, and negotiations to free the remaining hostages were under way, deputy director of Manila police Alex Gutierrez said, AP reported.

 It added that two of the Hong Kong tourists, both women, were the first to be released, followed by three young children and a woman accompanying them, Manila police chief Rodolfo Magtibay said. 

Police had earlier reported that the tourists were from South Korea but later corrected themselves.  Others on the bus included three Filipinos - a driver, a guide and a photographer, Magtibay said.