MANILA — 2010 · Major Tragedy

The Manila Bus Hostage Crisis

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On 23 August 2010 a dismissed senior police officer hijacked a tour bus carrying 25 people, mostly Hong Kong tourists, in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila's Rizal Park. Demanding reinstatement, he released some hostages through negotiation. But after police detained his brother during the talks, with events broadcast live on television, he opened fire on the hostages. Police stormed the bus and shot him dead. Eight Hong Kong hostages were killed and several others injured. Philippine and Hong Kong inquiries concluded that officials' serious mishandling of the crisis led to the deaths. The incident caused prolonged diplomatic tension; compensation was paid in 2014 and the Philippines formally apologised in 2018.

Date: 2010
Place: Rizal Park, Philippines, Manila, PH
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 14.5820, 120.9760 ↗

Timeline of Events

23 August 2010A dismissed police officer seized a tour bus in front of the Quirino Grandstand.
23 August 2010That evening he fired on the hostages; he was killed in the police assault and eight hostages died.
March 2011A Hong Kong inquest criticised the Philippine authorities' errors.

2014Compensation was paid to victims' families.
12 April 2018The Philippine president formally apologised.

Sources

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