COPS RESCUE 62-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, CHILD HELD HOSTAGE IN PALAWAN

AUTHORITIES rescued unharmed a 62-year-old woman and her young nephew who were held hostage by her own son in Rizal, Palawan.

The hostage-taking occurred in the victims’ house at Sitio Imbo, Purok Masagana, Bgy. Canipaan, Rizal town on Sept. 29, a belated report said.

Investigation showed the 34-year- old suspect suddenly grabbed a bolo and threatened to kill his own mother and the child.

After several hours, the mother managed to escape, prompting his son to bring the minor victim to another family house on the national highway.

Local police received the information about the ongoing hostage taking prompting officers from the Rizal Municipal Police Station, the 1st Palawan Mobile Force Company, the Palawan SWAT and the Philippine Coast Guard Rizal Detachment, to secure the area and initiate negotiations with the hostage-taker.

When the officers got the opportunity after seeing the suspect becoming drowsy following seven-hours of holding the child hostage, police entered through the back door, disarmed the suspect, and successfully rescued the minor without any harm.

The woman and the child were brought to the Rizal Rural Health Unit for medical assessment.

The suspect is now in police custody for investigation and proper disposition.

Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended the responding officers for the successful rescue operation.