Hostage taker killed in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged robber, who was reportedly high on drugs, was shot dead by police after taking a woman hostage and stabbing her several times in Makati City yesterday.

Police Officer 3 Rey Sarcon, one of the members of the Makati Police mobile unit who responded to the incident, said the suspect was identified only as “Caloy,” about 35 to 40 years old, clad only in a white T-shirt and denim pants.

Police said they received a call that a hostage-taking was in progress at the corner of J.P. Rizal and Hiwaga streets in Makati City.

The victim, whose name was not immediately made available by the police, was rushed to the Ospital ng Makati (OSMAK) for stab wounds in the chest.

In an interview, designer Christian Narvades, 50, a resident of Merville Park in Parañaque City, said he and the suspect boarded a passenger jeepney in front of the Old Makati city hall building at around 5:05 p.m.

Narvades said the suspect, who was seated beside him in the front passenger seat, suddenly pulled out a fan knife and started attacking him. He said he and the suspect grappled for possession of the fan knife.

“I thought it was the end of my life. I was overpowered and was just waiting for his thrust when he suddenly laughed at me and told me that he thought I was doing something bad to him. Then he smiled. The other passengers and the driver left us alone inside the jeepney. He then alighted from the jeepney and I followed. But the bystanders in the area ganged up on him, prompting the suspect to ride in another jeepney,” Narvades said.

Narvades said he saw the suspect start “attacking the passengers in the second jeepney.”

Bantay Bayan member Rodrigo Capada said the suspect then took the victim hostage and stabbed her several times in the chest. This prompted the responding policeman to shoot the suspect, who died almost instantly.

Capada said the suspect is a resident of Poblacion in Makati.