At least four tourists were shot dead in a bloody end to the hijacking of a bus in Manila by a disgruntled former police inspector, who was also killed when officers stormed the vehicle.
Police moved in to end the 10-hour stand-off after shots were fired in the bus on which former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza was holding 15 Hong Kong tourists.
A hostage is carried out through the smashed window of the bus.Credit: Reuters
Several captives were able to walk from the vehicle, according to live television footage of the scene. Some others were in hospital.
Police wearing bullet-proof vests who attempted to storm the bus were forced to retreat after bullets were sprayed through one of the windows towards the rear of the vehicle. The gunman died after a shoot-out with police.
The body of former police officer Rolando Mendoza hangs from the door of the tourist bus.Credit: Reuters
Mendoza earlier said he had killed two of the tourists and threatened to shoot the others.
Mendoza, 55, who had lost his job after being charged with extortion and illegal arrest, was demanding to be reinstated, the capital's chief superintendent, Leocadio Santiago, said.
Mendoza was dismissed early this year for extorting 20,000 pesos ($A500) from a chef over driving and drugs offenses and forcing him to swallow a sachet containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, or ice.
Signs held up at the bus window read "big mistake to correct a big wrong decision".
The kidnapping hurts "the reputation and image not only of the police force but also of our country", National Police Commission cice chairman Eduardo Escueta said.
"We can't afford another scandal."
Hong Kong's government has arranged a flight to Manila for relatives of the hostages. Hong Kong Chief executive Donald Tsang and Chief Secretary Henry Tang are holding a special meeting on the hijacking.
Hong Kong officials could not immediately give numbers of deaths or survivors.
Bloomberg