Man takes boy hostage in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines — A man reported to be high on drugs was arrested after taking a 12-year-old boy hostage at knifepoint in Caloocan City on Friday night.

Anthony Ramos Soriano, 32, a resident of Pandi, Bulacan, grabbed the boy along C-3 Road in Barangay 14 at around 7:15 p.m., the Northern Police District reported.

Personnel from the Caloocan police’s Sub-station 4 and Special Weapons and Tactics Unit rushed to the scene after receiving a call from a concerned citizen.

Maj. Dennis Odtujan, Sub-station 4 commander, said he tried to pacify Soriano and negotiate for the boy’s release.

Soriano freed the victim and surrendered to police at past 8 p.m. Police confiscated the knife he used to hold the boy hostage.

Police have yet to determine the motive for the hostage-taking.