Philippine soldier holds dozens hostage on tourist bus

A Philippine soldier in camouflage uniform and carrying an assault rifle held dozens of local tourists hostage on a bus for four hours today, but surrendered peacefully, police said.

Corporal Rene Prajele, who was carrying his army-issued M-16 rifle, stopped the bus in a farming area about 300 kilometres from the Philippine capital, said police spokeswoman Maria Luisa <g data-gr-id="21">Calubaquib</g>.

She said Prajele was angry over suspicions his wife was cheating on <g data-gr-id="19">him,</g> but gave himself up without any violence after negotiations with his army superior.

“He was heavily burdened, that’s why he did it,” <g data-gr-id="17">Calubaquib</g> told AFP.

Police said the hostage-taking caused a 20-kilometre-long traffic jam on a highway in Del Gallego, the farming town where the bus stopped after the initial hijacking.

Prajele, a soldier of 11 years, was arrested and faces <g data-gr-id="14">criminal</g> investigation, <g data-gr-id="18">Calubaquib</g> said.