http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=bus
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=schoolbus
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Note: The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1807851/posts
Busload of students held hostage in Philippines
MSNBC/AP ^
Posted on 03/27/2007 7:35:51 PM PDT by nuconvert
Students held hostage in Philippines Gunmen who say they have grenades seize group near Manila’s city hall BREAKING NEWS The Associated Press Updated: 7:34 p.m. MT March 27, 2007 MANILA, Philippines - Unidentified gunmen seized a busload of students and teachers near Manila's city hall while on the run after a holdup Wednesday, police said.
Hostage-takers scribbled on a piece of paper, visible through the bus window, that they were holding 32 children and two teachers and were armed with two grenades, an Uzi assault rifle police and a .45-caliber pistol, officer Mark Andal said.
They said they were demanding housing and education for 145 children in a day-care center.
Police surrounded the bus. TV footage showed the young children, one in sunglasses, waving from the windows, and a woman could be seen making a hand signal asking for a phone as one of the gunmen held a grenade at her side.
"They are hold-uppers being chased by our policemen," Manila police chief Reynaldo Varilla told DZMM radio, adding that two men were believed to be involved. "They saw a bus loaded with pupils.
"Right now negotiations are ongoing. We hope we can have them surrender peacefully so no one will be hurt."
There was no immediate word on the ages of the students or details on the reported hold-up.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Note: I will be updating the school bus thread fm.
ADDING 1 link/post to post no. 1487:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1807851/posts?page=27#27
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/03/27/ap3557737.html
Associated Press
"Students Taken Hostage in Philippines"
By PAUL ALEXANDER 03.27.07, 11:06 PM ET
ARTICLE SNIPPET: ""I love these kids; that's why I am here," one of the hostage-takers, identifying himself as Jun Ducat, told DZMM radio by cell phone. "We have a field trip. I invited the children for a field trip.
"In case I need to shed blood, I will not be the first to fire. I am telling the policemen, have pity on these children.""
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Ducat was involved in a previous hostage-taking with a priest, officials said."