Children wave from inside a bus while being held hostage by unidentified gunmen in front of the Manila City Hall in Manila Wednesday. Gunmen demanding improved housing for children seized a busload of day-care students and teachers as police surrounded the stalled vehicle in downtown Manila. (AP photo)
MANILA -- (Updated 7:25 p.m.) Three hostage takers led by businessman Armando Ducat Jr. released the 31 day care school pupils and two teachers he held hostage for a little over 10 hours inside a tourist bus parked near the Manila City Hall.
The children and teachers disembarked out of the bus one after the other and were brought to social welfare personnel for stress debriefing.
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CEBU CITY -- The camp of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has announced its final slate for Cebu Province, but the opposition has yet to decide who will run against her in the May 14 elections.
"We are gathered here as we prepare for battle against an enemy that, until today, remains nameless and faceless," said Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia, who will be running for congressman in the third district.
MANILA -- Saying his P10,000 monthly income was not enough to fund his senatorial bid, the Commission on Elections disqualified Joselito Pepito "Peter" Cayetano from running for a Senate seat this May 14.
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A surprise political twist has come about in the province after a Catholic parish priest decided to be the "third force" in the race for Pampanga governor this May 14.
