Man nabbed for taking woman hostage

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A man was arrested after he took a saleslady hostage for three hours at a mall in Lipa, Batangas on Tuesday.

The suspect, identified as Alvin Bayta, 28, was charged with serious illegal detention and violation of the Omnibus Election Code for possession of a deadly weapon.

The victim, Jeremy Morta, 25, saleslady of a gadget store, was brought to the San Antonio Medical Center for medical evaluation.

Lt. Col. Rix Villareal, Lipa police chief, suffered a cut in the hand during the incident, which occurred from around 4 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.

Reports said Bayta arrived at the store, grabbed Morta and pointed a bladed weapon at her neck.

Morta’s two companions hid in the storage room.

Mall goers took videos of the incident, which went viral on social media.

Members of the Lipa police negotiated with the suspect, who asked for the presence of the media and to speak with his family.

Bayta claimed he was being hunted and accused of a crime he did not commit. He said he wanted to clear his name.

After authorities complied with his request, Bayta reportedly tried to escape while still holding Morta at knifepoint.

As Bayta and Morta approached the escalator, Villareal and other police officers grabbed and disarmed the suspect.