Carnage in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - A dismissed policeman armed with an assault rifle hijacked a bus packed with tourists, and killed most of its passengers in a 10 hour-hostage drama shown live on national television until last night.

Former police senior inspector Rolando Mendoza was shot dead by a sniper at past 9 p.m.

Mendoza hijacked the bus and took 21 Chinese tourists hostage, demanding his reinstatement to the police force.

The hostage drama dragged on even after the driver of the bus managed to escape and told police that all the remaining passengers had been killed.