Cops yet to identify Alabang hostage taker

The daring hostage taker in Alabang, Muntinlupa City remains unidentified.

And the owner of the cellular phone number police found in the suspect’s possession refused to answer the authorities’ calls, said city police chief, Supt. Erasto Lim Sanchez.

The name "Abby" was written beside the number.

Aside from the number, police also found a receipt indicating that one "Roberto Marasigan" received an advanced deposit of P1,500.

Authorities also recovered a picture of a woman participating in a Santacruzan inside the suspect’s wallet, some P200 in cash, and two fan knives, one of which the suspect used to threaten his victim, Regina Salve Pulido.

The hostage-taker was described to be 27-30 years old and was well-built.

He was shot dead by a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member after he refused to release Pulido who he took hostage with her child inside her car Sunday night in Alabang.

But the suspect let the child go after a brief negotiation with the police.

Then he ordered Pulido, 35 to drive towards the South Luzon Tollway (SLT). Police trailed the vehicle until it entered the East Service Road where authorities set up a road block.

After the second negotiation failed, Sanchez ordered his men to take down the suspect.

Pulido is still confined in a hospital, Sanchez said, recuperating from her wounds on the neck and hand.

"She’s also still recovering from the trauma brought by that incident," he added.

Investigators believe that the hostage taker had wanted to steal Pulido’s car, a late-model Mitsubishi Lancer. – Nikko Dizon