Ex-policeman hijacks tourist bus in Philippines

MANILA - An ex-policeman armed with a high-powered assault rifle hijacked a bus carrying more than 20 Hong Kong tourists including children in the Philippine capital on Monday, police said.

Six hostages, three of them children, were released by the gunman about three hours after the standoff began, with the drama being played out live on national television.

Police said they were negotiating with the gunman, a former policeman who was discharged in 2008 for his alleged involvement in drug-related crimes and extortion, and was demanding to be reinstated. MORE