2 dead, 1 hurt in Cavite mall hostage-taking incident

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 2, 6:37 p.m.) – A mall in Dasmariñas, Cavite was briefly locked down on Sunday due to a reported hostage-taking incident that killed two people and left another injured.

In a radio report on dzMM, Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Hernandez, Dasmariñas, Cavite police chief, confirmed the incident. He said a man, later identified as 32-year-old Carlos Marcos Lacdao, held a female maintenance worker hostage inside SM Dasmariñas, causing the lockdown.

Hernandez said the hostage-taking was triggered by a “love triangle” between a married couple. The hostage-taker reportedly used a knife to hold the maintenance worker hostage in one of the comfort rooms.

In a statement,, SM Group Head of Investor Relations Cora Guidote confirmed the hostage started as a domestic problem that was brought to the mall. Former Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla in a separate interview with dzBB likewise said the hostage- taking was due to a supposed love triangle.

Remulla said Lacdao managed to bring in a 12-inch blade despite bag inspections by mall security around 11 a.m. He then reportedly held 11 people hostage.

“Nag-hostage siya (Lacdao) ng labing-isang tao, siyam ang nakatakas at tatlo ang naiwan. Sa tatlong naiwan, isa ang pinatay niya. Sinaksak niya sa kili-kili, tuloy tuloy hanggang sa puso,” Remulla said, adding Lacdao’s wife works in the mall but was not held hostage.

“Iyong isa, sinaksak niya sa likod, buhay pa. Isa ang naiwan,” he added.

Remulla said Lacdao was agitated and was looking for his wife’s supposed lover as well as for his children.

“Hinihingi niya iyong mga anak niya. Noong nakita niya ang mga anak niya naging agitated siya,” Remulla narrated.

The former governor said the negotiation happened from 12:30 to 2:30. Remulla said the hostage-taking ended 2:55 p.m., when the authorities fired at Lacdao as he held a woman hostage at knifepoint.
Lacdao died after he incurred gunshot wounds in the head and neck.

“At around 2:55, nag go signal na ang commanding officer at tinerminate nila ang situation,” Remulla said.

Meanwhile, SM's Guidote said the local Philippine National Police and their security are working together to manage the situation.

“All tenant personnel and customers are all safe and away from the area,”Guidote said. —Rosette Adel