Filipino driver says he never wanted killer policeman on his Manila bus

MANILA - The driver of the tour bus that was held hostage by a dismissed policeman recounted Tuesday that he was not in favour of allowing Rolanda Mendoza into the vehicle as company rules did not permit it, but was eventually prevailed upon to do so.

Deposing before the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) here, Alberto Lubang, said he noticed a man in police uniform waving at him and approached the bus.

He said he heard Mendoza ask one of the photographers where the bus was bound to. The photographer said the bus is going to the airport. Mendoza then asked if he could hitch a ride as he was also going to that area.

According to Xinhua News, Lubang said Mendoza prevailed on him, saying that he would be the one to protect the passengers.

When the bus was moving, Mendoza declared the hostage and ordered Lubang to go to the nearby Quirino Grandstand.

Mendoza also told Lubang to call up his family or company that the bus is being held hostage. Lubang said he called up Lourdes Amansec, the assistant manager of the Direction Travel and Tours, which owned the hijacked Hong Thai bus.

Mendoza then confiscated Lubang’s cell phone, which the hostage taker then used to negotiate with policemen.(ANI)