‘Hostage taker’ shot dead

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Police shot dead a man who allegedly held hostage a woman in Zamboanga Sibugay yesterday.

Eduardo Andres died at the scene of the incident that occurred shortly before noon in Ipil town.

Reports said that Andres, who was allegedly armed with a .45-caliber pistol, threatened to shoot Irene Leyson in the head.

Leyson is an employee of a vehicle insurance firm located beside the Land Transportation Office in the area.

Personnel of the Ipil police station tried, but failed to persuade Andres to release Leyson.

They were reportedly compeled to shoot after seeing that the suspect was getting agitated.

Probers recovered a pistol beside the body of Andres.