Captive children freed in Manila

A number of pre-school children in Thailand were released after a ten-hour hostage ordeal on board a school bus today.

Some 32 children, all aged around five, along with two teachers, were taken hostage in Manila by their day care centre owner, Jun Ducat.

Mr Ducat claimed in interviews with local news stations from the bus that he did not wish to harm the children and that he had taken the action to raise awareness of the poor housing and education the children experience.

It is thought that Mr Ducat, along with at least one other, boarded the bus at the start of a day trip and ordered it to be taken to the city hall, with the persuasion of guns and grenades.

"I am so sorry I took these children in a violent action to call the attention of the Filipino people to open their minds to the political reality," he said.

The children were not thought to be in discomfort during the siege and were provided with ice cream to keep their spirits up.

They were finally released at 19:00 after police agreed to Mr Ducat's request top light candles and allow press to be present.