PNP vows public safety after series of hostage-taking incidents

The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed Thursday to maintain public safety following the recent series of hostage-taking incidents in different parts of the country.

In a statement, the PNP said that from January 20 to February 18, a total of four hostage situations were reported in Manila, Batangas, Rizal, and Digos City.

"Our police forces have demonstrated exceptional dedication in handling these life-threatening situations with utmost professionalism,” PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil said.

“The safety of our citizens remains our top priority, and we will continue to strengthen our strategies in crisis response and law enforcement to prevent similar incidents from happening,” he added.

In Taytay, Rizal, the PNP said a one-year-old child was taken hostage by her father who was armed with a karambit knife.

After an hour-long negotiation, the suspect surrendered to authorities. The baby had minor wounds on her neck. The suspect, now detained in Taytay Municipal Police Station, may face charges for violating the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Law; alarm and scandal; and illegal possession of a bladed, pointed, or blunt weapon.

In Digos City in Davao del Sur, a suspect forcibly took a one-year-old girl from her home.

According to the PNP, residents restrained the perpetrator and ensured the child’s safety until the police arrived.

In Manila in the National Capital Region, a man with a bladed weapon took a woman hostage as the police ran after him over his involvement in a stabbing incident.

The suspect peacefully surrendered after over an hour of negotiation. He was brought to Manila Police District Station 3. He may face complaints for illegal detention, alarm and scandal, and illegal possession of deadly weapon.

In Lipa City in Batangas, meanwhile, another man took hostage a cashier in a gadget store at a mall.

The cashier was released after negotiations. The suspect was arrested for serious illegal detention and violation of the Omnibus Election Code due to possession of a deadly weapon. A cop was wounded while trying to subdue the suspect. Both cop and the victim received first aid.

“Overall, these events are merely isolated incidents and do not reflect the general state of peace and order in the country, as they are neither the work of organized crime nor a sign of a worsening problem," Marbil said. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News