MAN TAKES WIFE HOSTAGE IN BATAAN 

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP CAPTAIN JULIAN OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga – A 31-year-old man on Tuesday took his wife hostage in their house in Orion, Bataan.

An investigation showed the suspect went to their house at Sitio Kataasan in Bgy. Bilolo to woo his wife.

The couple, who have two children aged 3 and 9, have been separated for about eight months after the man was accused of hurting his wife.

On Tuesday afternoon, the man tried  to regain again the love of his 29-year-old wife but the woman turned down his plea.

The suspect grabbed a knife and held his wife hostage.

In a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez, personnel of the Orion police immediately responded to a call from the barangay chairman of Bgy. Bilolo regarding the hostage-taking.

Responding officers found the suspect holding his wife in a chokehold while threatening her with a kitchen knife inside their residence. 

The suspect initially refused to release the victim and demanded that police leave the area.

During negotiations, the suspect reportedly surrendered the knife to a relative, but later armed himself with a pair of scissors and again threatened the victim, prompting negotiators to carefully continue efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Bataan police director Col. Maritess A. Salvadora personally supervised the negotiations and after sustained dialogue, the suspect peacefully surrendered to authorities.

The victim was safely rescued and brought for medical examination, counseling, and assistance from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO).

The suspect is now under the custody of the Orion police and will face charges for violations of Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code (hostage taking) and Republic Act 9262 or the Violence Against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act.

 Mendez commended the responding officers for their calm and disciplined handling of the incident, saying the peaceful resolution highlighted the Philippine National Police’s commitment to professionalism and compassionate policing.

 “This incident could have ended differently, but because of the patience, restraint, and professionalism shown by our police personnel, the victim was rescued safely and no lives were lost,” Mendez said.