Nine passengers, included three children, were released from a tourist bus hijacked in the Philippine capital Manila on Monday morning, the local media reported. 

A police officer turned into a hostage taker stands at the entrance of a bus containing passengers who have been taken hostage while parked near Quirino Grandstand in Manila August 23, 2010. [Xinhua]

There are still 15 Chinese nationals and one Filipino in the bus.

The hostage taker earlier released eight passengers including three Chinese children and a Filipino translator. They were sent to the Manila Hospital for treatment. Hospital officials said they are in good condition and want to go home.

Most of the passengers onboard are from Chian's Hong Kong. There were 25 passengers in the bus when a dismissed policeman hijacked the vehicle Monday morning. There were 22 Chinese tourists, three Filipinos: the bus driver, an interpreter and a photographer.

Chinese Embassy officials in Manila are hoping for the peaceful resolution of the situation and to ensure the security of the Chinese nationals.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) identified the hostage taker as former Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. Mendoza was dismissed from service for extortion and forcing a chef to swallow "shabu."

Two police officers, Superintendent Orlando Yebra Jr. and Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador, have started negotiations with Mendoza.