ZAMBOANGA CITY – A man allegedly suffering from stress held a senior citizen hostage at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Friday, March 17.
A DEPRESSED man, Danny Alvaro, takes Saturnina Vergas hostage at the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center in Dao, Pagadian City on Friday, March 17. (Photo via Liza Jocson)
The victim, Saturnina Vergas, 60, from Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur, was released unharmed by 48-year-old Danny Alvaro to authorities after a four-hour hostage drama.
Police said Alvaro used a kitchen knife to seize a watcher at the PTB ward on the ground floor of the hospital at around 4:30 a.m.
His first hostage was able to escape, prompting Alvaro to take Vergas, another watcher, who was sleeping inside the ward, at knifepoint.
Alvaro negotiated with authorities for a certain “Willy” to take his place to enable him to return to their residence in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.
Witnesses said Alvaro had been watching patient Timoteo Alvaro for the past two days prior to the incident. They added that Danny had been acting strange since 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15.
Negotiations led to the release of the victim without any casualty at 8:26 a.m., police said.