Mentally-ill woman takes mother-in-law hostage in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines - A 40-year-old woman alleged mentally-ill woman took her 70-year-old mother-in-law hostage inside their Taguig City home for an hour and 30 minutes on Wednesday morning after learning that she was about to be taken to a mental health institution.

Senior Superintendent Arthur Asis, Taguig City Police chief, said Lucy Castillo, who was armed with a knife and a pair of scissors, took her mother-in-law Estipania Matarina hostage at about 8:30 a.m. at their home in Block 1, Phase 2, Barangay Pinagsama.

Asis said police decided to storm the house and rescue Matarina after negotiations to secure her safe release failed.

Asis said Castillo and Matarina were unhurt and were taken to the Taguig-Pateros Hospital for medical check-up.