Chronology of events of the hostage crisis in Manila that turned bloody on Monday night based on the live coverage of GMA News’ 24 Oras and Radio DZBB, and reports from BusinessWorld and Malaya newspapers:
This page requires a higher version browser 10:15 a.m. – Dismissed Manila Police Mobile Patrol Unit chief Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza boards tourist bus at Intramuros.
12:15 p.m. – First batch of hostages released, including three Chinese children.
3:00 p.m. – Deadline set by Mendoza for authorities to comply with his demands. [See: Ex-cop holds tourist bus passengers hostage in Manila]
6:00 p.m. -- The hostage-taker receives a letter from the Office of the Ombudsman promising a review of his case.
7:10 p.m. – Police arrest Mendoza’s brother, SPO4 Gregorio Mendoza. The hostage taker, who is monitoring the news on television, angrily tells an RMN anchor over the phone that he will start firing at the tourists if his brother is taken away. According to RMN, this is the last time Mendoza is heard on the air.
7:21 p.m. - First two shots, and then several others, are heard from the bus. Snipers fire at the wheels of the bus to immobilize the vehicle.
7:30 p.m. - The bus driver escapes, going straight to the mobile command of the National Capital Region Police Office and shouting that all the hostages had been killed.
7:37 p.m. - Members of a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team start to surround the bus. They use a sledge hammer to break down the door of the bus.
7:40 p.m. - More gunshots are heard. Police patrol cars start advancing towards the bus.
7:45 p.m. - Policemen close in and fasten a rope around the glass door to force it open.
7:51 p.m. - Police lob tear gas inside the bus.
8:04 p.m. - Another round of shots is heard, but it is unclear if it came from inside the bus.
8:10 p.m. - Police tug at the rope to pull the bus door open, but it snaps a few minutes later. One hostage could be seen slumped near the front door of the bus.
8:40 p.m. -Shots are fired again, though it is unclear whether they were coming from inside or outside the bus, which has been surrounded by police
8:45 p.m.. No longer ducking gunfire, police begin to approach the bus. They seem to be signaling to bystanders and media that the area has been secured. Michael Fajatin reports that a sniper says he has shot and killed the hostage-taker.
Around 9:00 p.m. Police manage to open the rear emergency exit. No movement is seen inside the bus, but a light comes on. Police hesitate in entering the bus but eventually force their way in. Several hostages are seen walking out, while others are carried on stretchers and brought to waiting ambulances.
12:30 a.m. President Aquino gives a press conference about the hostage crisis.
— Jerrie Abella/Pia Faustino/LBG/YA
