7 teens hold 28 patients hostage at NCMH

MANILA, Philippines - Seven teenage patients, armed with a single toothbrush with its handle honed to a point, held 28 other patients hostage for three hours at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong City Thursday.

The teenagers, all boys, complained the male attendants were maltreating them. They surrendered after they were assured that they will be transferred to a different holding center, said Senior Superintendent Carlos de Sagun, Mandaluyong City police chief.

He said it is up NCMH officials to resolve the issue since the police officers have done their part, which is negotiating the safe release of the hostages.

According to reports, the teenage patients from NCMH’s Pavilion 14 became unruly and destroyed a fluorescent lamp and the main door of their cell at around 5:31 p.m. Thursday.

The group then stormed a cell where 28 other mentally ill patients were being held and announced the hostage-taking.

Local police night watch officer Chief Inspector Godofredo Velasco, city jail warden Superintendent Joseph Vela, and the city fire marshal rushed to the area. They were joined later by police officers from Mandaluyong’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.

While authorities were negotiating the teenagers’ surrender, the boys took turns beating up five of their hostages.

De Sagun said the teenagers surrendered at 8:35 p.m. after Velasco and Vela assured them that they would be transferred to a solitary center some 300 meters away from Pavilion 14.

The teenagers were handcuffed, but while inside the local jail’s van to take them to their new cell, they kicked several parts of the vehicle, causing minor damage.

The five injured patients were brought to the NCMH medical dispensary for treatment.