SOLDIER TAKES LIVE-IN PARTNER HOSTAGE IN ZAMBOANGA CITY

POLICE on Saturday arrested a Marine soldier after he allegedly took his live-in partner hostage following a quarrel over a post on social media.

The 27-year-old trooper is assigned at the Marine Battalion Landing Team 6 in Cotabato City.

An investigation showed that prior to the hostage-taking, the soldier went to his partner’s boarding house on Mango Drive in Bgy. Baliwasan on Friday night.

The suspect confronted his partner about her posts on TikTok and confiscated her phone.

At the height of the fight, the soldier allegedly strangled the woman with a belt, pointed a gun at her, and threatened to kill her.

Police said the hostage drama went on through the night.

The following day, the woman screamed for help after the suspect refused to release her. Her screams were heard by her sister who was staying in a room upstairs.

The sister immediately sought the help of the barangay officials who called the police.

Responding lawmen conducted a negotiation and managed to persuade the suspect to release the woman and surrender peacefully.