Police pull back from hostage bus

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Police have pulled back from a bus where 15 Chinese tourists are held hostage after commandos attempted to storm it in a bid to end a daylong standoff led by a dismissed policeman.

There was no immediate confirmation of any casualties in the standoff in downtown Manila late today.

However, police officer Roderick Mariano cited the driver who escaped moments before police surrounded the bus as saying the hostage-taker, armed with an M16 rifle, had opened fire at the tourists.

Police shot out the bus' tires then used hammers to smash side windows, door and windscreen. They attempted to enter but withdrew as a volley of gunshots rang out from the vehicle. Ambulances also withdrew.

There was no movement of people seen inside the bus.