A Philippine national flag flies at half-mast near the bullet-riddled, hijacked tourist bus. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
MANILA - HE WAS a man on a crusade, said the escaped bus driver of the fateful hostage bus which led to the loss of eight lives on Monday.
Mr Alberto Lubang, 38, driver of the Hong Thai Travel bus, said in a sworn statement to police investigators that the gunman, disgruntled ex-police Rolando Mendoza, was calm and focused on one goal - proving his innocence.
Things only took a turn for the worst when Mendoza saw his brother - who was mediating with him - being handcuffed and taken away by police.
The bus driver recounted Mendoza's civilised and calm behaviour in the first few hours. He said Mendoza told him: 'Don't worry, nothing will happen if what I want is followed. That's a promise.'
The Philippine Inquirer reported that Mendoza asked Mr Lubang if the tourists were hungry and directed him to call the travel agency to bring food for them.
'He told us, even the foreigners, that he was dismissed because of a wrong decision and he had nothing to do with what happened. It was his men who were responsible.' Said Mr Lubang in Tagalog.
The bus driver said that he was surprised when Mendoza started shooting at the handcuffed tour guide on the aisle.
Mr Lubang managed to break free of his handcuffs with the help a nail cutter and escape through the window on the driver's side.
'There was no tension. He was calm. He did not hurt any of the passengers at that time and he occasionally joked, but he was serious in his goal,' recounted Mr Lubang.
