Man takes 13 bus passengers hostage

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Police arrested a man who took at least 13 bus passengers, including a four-year-old boy, hostage along North Luzon Expressway in Guiguinto, Bulacan yesterday morning.   

Lauro Sanchez, 35, of Agoncillo, Batangas, was subdued following a two-hour hostage drama, Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) director Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta said.

All passengers taken hostage by Sanchez, who was initially identified as Larry Miranda, were released unharmed.

Two police officers, identified as Superintendent Frankie Candelario and Senior Inspector Isagani Santos, were hurt when they subdued Sanchez, who was armed with a knife.    

Investigators said the suspect boarded the Everlasting bus in Cauayan town, Isabela. The bus carrying 45 passengers was headed for Cubao, Quezon City. 

When the bus reached the expressway’s Sta. Rita toll exit at around 6:30 a.m., Sanchez grabbed a male passenger and held him hostage at knifepoint.

The bus driver and conductor along with the other passengers managed to get off the bus. The 13 passengers were trapped inside with the suspect.

Bulacan police chief Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Divina said he formed a team to negotiate with Sanchez, who appeared to be mentally unstable.

The suspect, who claimed he wanted to clear his name of robbery charges, asked for journalists to be present and a car with a driver.

When negotiations failed, a Special Weapons and Tactics team from the Bulacan police entered the bus at around 8:40 a.m., said deputy regional director for operations Senior Superintendent Melvin Ramon Buenafe.

Policemen were able to pin down the hostage-taker after grappling for his knife.

Sanchez was detained at the Guiguinto police detention cell.

Journalist’s mom among the hostages

Teresita Ramos, mother of Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter Marlon Ramos, said she told Sanchez that her son was a reporter when the hostage-taker demanded the presence of journalists.

Ramos said she and her niece were seated by the window while the hostage taker was beside them.

She said she was left behind when the other passengers got off the bus and saw the suspect poke a knife at a man.

She said she told the suspect that she saw her son’s car outside and that she should go out to talk to him.

The suspect allowed her to go out. Minutes later, two police officers posing as journalists entered the bus and subdued the suspect.  – With Ramon Lazaro