MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Monday ordered police officials to ensure the safety of all 25 passengers of a hijacked tourist bus in Rizal Park in Manila.
Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said Malacañang is monitoring the situation and will let authorities on the ground resolve the hostage-taking incident.
"We are confident that police authorities are in control of the situation. We are hoping that in due time they will be able to bring about the desired outcome, which is to ensure the safeguarding of the lives and safety of the people," he told ANC.
He said police negotiators are following standard policies and procedures for dealing with hostage-taking situations. So far, negotiators have acceded to the hostage-taker's requests for food for the hostages and gasoline for the bus.
"At this point , we don't want to discuss any negotiating aspect as this might bring about an escalation of the situation," he said.
As of posting, 9 of the 25 hostages on board the bus had been released.
A psychologist said at least 1 child released from the hijacked tourist bus is scared after being separated from his mother who is still on the bus.
Dr. Gloria Granado of the Ospital ng Maynila said one of the children was dragged out of the bus by one of the Chinese nationals after she was allowed to get off the bus.
"The children have no idea that there is a hostage-taking situation. At least one child was scared after he was dragged out. Now they just want to go home. They are avoiding the media. We can't help them except give a little counseling," she said.
She said most of the people on the bus are Hong Kong tourists on a 4-day educational trip in the Philippines. She said the tourists had planned to get lunch at Rizal Park then go to SM Mall of Asia before leaving for Hong Kong at 7:15 p.m.
An official from the Chinese embassy, meanwhile, said all the hostages are safe including the ones still on the bus.
Vai Tian, deputy chie of mission of the Chinese embassy said all the foreign hostages are Chinese nationals. He urged authorities to ensure the safety of the hostages.
He said: "They are all in safe and peaceful mood. They are quiet and calm and we are trying to talk to the PNP to take all the necessary measures to secure the release and protect the security and safety of our nationals."
