Woman takes mother-in-law hostage

MANILA, Philippines - A woman took her 70-year-old mother-in-law hostage for over two hours in their home in Taguig City yesterday morning.

Lucy Castillo, 40, armed with a knife and a pair of scissors, took Estipania Matarina hostage at past 8 a.m. in their home in Barangay Pinagsama, Taguig police chief Senior Superintendent Arthur Asis said.

Castillo, reportedly suffering from a mental illness, locked herself and her mother-in-law in the house after learning she was about to be brought to a mental health institution, Asis said.

Police officers decided to force their way into the house, reportedly after seeing Castillo about to stab her mother-in-law, Asis added.

He said both Castillo and Matarina were unhurt and were taken to the Taguig-Pateros Hospital for medical checkup.