Man takes bus passengers hostage

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines   – Tension gripped some 50 passengers of a bus when a man held them hostage at gunpoint in Hinigaran town, Negros Occidental Sunday.

Richard Opelio, 26, reportedly threatened to shoot passengers of a Ceres bus when it stopped at the Hinigaran terminal at around 3 p.m.

Chief Inspector Lino Dalisay, town police chief, said the bus was heading to Bacolod City when the suspect reportedly pulled out a caliber .38 revolver and tried to take control of the wheel.

One of the passengers, Lawrence Palmos, 24, seized the firearm from the suspect. This prompted the other passengers to beat up Opelio.

The suspect was taken to a health center for treatment of head injuries before he was turned over to the police.