Police may have killed hostages in Philippines bus hijacking

Officials in the Philippines have acknowledged that some of the hostages in last month’s deadly bus hijacking in Manila may have been killed by police bullets. Three Canadians and five Chinese tourists died in the August 23 attack that was orchestrated by a disgruntled former police officer. Forensic reports show that most of those shot on the bus were hit from far away, possibly by the dozens of bullets unleashed by police in an attempt to kill the hostage taker, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Thursday. The bus driver and police had both testified earlier that the hostages were shot at close range. Philippines officials have already admitted that they mishandled the hostage situation.

Vancouver Sun