Rob suspect takes woman hostage in Navotas

MANILA, Philippines - A suspected robber fleeing from village watchmen took a housewife hostage in Navotas City yesterday morning but was later subdued and arrested by the police.

Navotas City police chief Senior Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen said Joel Torres, 27, a resident of Barangay Daanghari, yielded a kitchen knife he reportedly used in abducting 41-year-old Grace Caragdag.

Quibuyen said at around 5:20 a.m., watchmen of Barangay San Jose in Navotas City were chasing Torres along Kahunari street when the suspect entered Caragdag’s house, took her hostage at knifepoint and dragged her to the seashore. He demanded a motorized banca to use for his escape, holding Caragdag hostage for 30 minutes while barangay chairman Rey Amos Hechanova was urging him to surrender.

“As Hechanova was persuading Torres to give up and not to hurt the woman, our (policemen) took the opportunity to grab him from behind and they were able to rescue the woman,” Quibuyen said.

Caragdag was unharmed but was in shock from the ordeal, Quibuyen said.

Police were set to file charges against the suspect yesterday.