PNP leadership: Safety of hostages is priority

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has ordered his men deployed at the ongoing hostage crisis in Manila to prioritize the safety of the hostages, most of whom are tourists from Hong Kong. The general guidance of the Chief PNP is to strictly observe to the letter, the Police Operational Procedures (POP) on Hostage-Crisis Situations with paramount emphasis on the safety of the hostages, the police personnel on the ground, and the hostage-taker himself," said a statement posted on the Philippine government's Official Gazette. Dismissed police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza took hostage passengers of the Hong Thai tourist bus on Monday morning in Manila. As of 3 p.m., the bus remains stationed at the Quirino Grandstand near the Rizal Park. Mendoza has supposedly set a 3:00 p.m. ultimatum for the authorities to act on his demand to be reinstated in service. "3:00 P.M. TODAY DEADLOCK," read a handwritten note posted on the bus window. Eight of the more than 20 hostages have been reportedly freed as of posting time. The Manila Police District is in charge of handling the crisis, with Superintendent Orlando Yebra and Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador serving as chief negotiators. The PNP statement said the Manila government has also formed a crisis management committee "to coordinate all actions of concerned police units and agencies." Verzosa was also quoted as ordering the policemen on the ground to prevent the situation from affecting the normal situation in the city. –VVP, GMANews.TV