Police shot and killed the gunman, former police officer Rolando Mendoza, who was apparently upset at having lost his job. He held hostage a busload of tourists from Hong Kong on August 23 and according to witnesses, he was willing to cooperate before he was shot dead.

In Hong Kong, flags flew at half-staff and radio talk shows were abuzz with criticism of authorities in the Philippines.

The deadly standoff unfolded live on television, which the gunman was able to watch on a monitor on the bus.

Survivors were scheduled to leave the Philippines on Tuesday as officials and family members called on authorities to investigate.

Philippine National Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said on August 24 that it was a dark moment for President Benigno S. Aquino III, who was elected by a landslide last spring with a promise to restore the nation's reputation. He declared a national day of mourning on August 25.