'Sacked policeman' seizes Manila bus in hostage drama

The gunman, a senior inspector reported to have been sacked over robbery and drugs claims, is demanding his job back, local media says.

Children were said to be among at least 25 hostages on the bus. An elderly man became the seventh to be freed, leaving 18 people still on board.

Negotiations are under way with the gunman, who is said to be co-operating.

Chief Superintendent Erwin Margarejo, spokesman of the Manila police district, said the use of force would be a "last resort".

Seven hostages - four adults and three children - have now been freed out of 25 people on the bus. Twenty-two are said to be tourists from Hong Kong and three are Filipinos - a driver, a guide and a photographer.

There were initial reports that the tourists were from South Korea, but police now say they are mostly from Hong Kong.

The gunman had been identified as Rolando Mendoza, a former senior police inspector who was sacked in 2008 over allegations of robbery, extortion and drug-related crimes, he added.

See www.bbc.co.uk