Bus driver narrates hostage-taking incident (12:37 p.m.)

MANILA -- The driver of the ill-fated bus narrated Tuesday the turn of events at Quirino Grandstand in August 23 that ended with the death of eight tourists, mostly Hong Kong residents, and the hostage-taker.

On the fourth day of hearings conducted by the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC), Alberto Lubang recounted that at 8 a.m. of that day, some 21 tourists from Manila Pavillion boarded the bus bound for Fort Santiago.

Aside from the 21 tourists and himself, the bus also contained a tourist guide and two photographers.

When he arrived to fetch the tourists after an hour of sightseeing at Fort Santiago, Lubang said he noticed a man in police uniform waved at him and approached the bus. The fully armed man turned out to be the suspect Rolando Mendoza.

Lubang said he heard Mendoza ask one of the photographers where the bus was headed, to which question the photographer replied: “Papunta kami ng airport. Pagkatapos noon, sinabi na ng pulis na 'tamang-tama, makikisabay ako'."

The driver further told the panel that at first, he did not want the policeman to get on the bus as this was strictly prohibited by their company, but Mendoza prevailed upon him, saying he would be the one to protect them.

When the bus was moving, Mendoza declared he was taking them hostage and ordered him to go to Quirino Grandstand.

Mendoza also told Lubang to call up his family or his company. The driver took this opportunity to text and call up Lourdes Amansec, assistant manager of the Direction Travel and Tours that owned the hijacked Hong Thai bus.

After a few minutes, Mendoza confiscated Lubang’s cell phone, which the hostage taker then used to negotiate with policemen. (JCV/Sunnex)