A mother and two children were rescued by members of the Manila Police District (MPD) from a hostage-taker at the corner of Herbosa and Franco Streets in Tondo, Manila on Friday evening, Jan. 6.
Police said the suspect, identified only as "Terry", suddenly entered an apartment and went directly to the second floor.
When he realized that there were men on the second floor, he proceeded to the third floor where he saw the victims and took them hostage, the police said.
According to the initial report, the victims' neighbor, Michael Tassara, immediately called the police for help after seeing the suspect hurriedly entering the victim's apartment unit.
The suspect was reportedly armed with a knife.
Lt. Col. Rosalino Ibay Jr., MPD Station 1 commander, negotiated with the suspect for his surrender and safe release of the victims,
During negotiation, the suspect demanded for his sibling to be brought to him.
Ibay, in turn, asked the suspect to free the hostages in exchange for his sibling.
After agreeing to the terms, the suspect voluntarily surrendered to the police at around 8 p.m.
The victims were rescued unharmed.
The incident is under further police investigation.