A tense situation unfolded in Recto, Manila, on Tuesday afternoon after a man armed with a knife took a woman hostage inside a printing shop while attempting to evade police.
According to a report on GMA News’ 24 Oras, authorities were pursuing the suspect in connection with a recent stabbing case. However, it was later revealed that he had gone to Recto to demand his unpaid salary of PHP 20,000 from his employer.
As he fled from officers, the suspect entered a printing shop and held a woman at knifepoint. Police Lieutenant Colonel John Guiagui of the Manila Police District (MPD) stated that the suspect requested to be paid his wages and see his mother.
After an hour of negotiation, the suspect peacefully surrendered. Authorities handed over the PHP 20,000 salary to his mother.
“I told him to hug me and assured him nothing bad would happen. He put down the knife, and that was it. It ended peacefully,” Guiagui said.
The suspect, who claimed he had no intention of taking a hostage and was only running out of fear, now faces charges of illegal detention, alarm and scandal, and illegal possession of a deadly weapon.
