A one-year-old child was rescued by police after being taken hostage by her own father along C6 Road in Taytay, Rizal, on Saturday evening, Jan. 25.
A one-year-old child was rescued by police after being taken hostage by her own father along C6 Road in Taytay, Rizal, on Saturday evening, Jan. 25.
Authorities promptly responded and talked to the suspect, who was armed with a knife while holding his child.
Taytay Mayor Allan De Leon said the situation ended peacefully after Rizal Police Provincial Office (Rizal PPO) Director Felipe Maraggun, Taytay Police Chief Marlo Solero, and negotiators from Barangay Sta. Ana and task force multipliers successfully negotiated with the suspect.
According to them, the suspect's actions may have been prompted by alleged rape accusations filed against him involving his stepdaughter.
“Ang insidente ay dulot ng problemang pampamilya, ngunit nagpapasalamat kami na natapos ito nang walang nasaktan. Napakahalaga ng maagap at maayos na paghawak sa sitwasyon upang mapanatili ang kaligtasan ng lahat (The incident was caused by a family problem, but we are grateful it ended without anyone getting hurt. Prompt and proper handling of the situation was crucial in ensuring everyone's safety),” Maraggun said.
Taytay Municipal Police Station said the child is now safe and under the care of relatives, while the suspect is currently in their custody and faces charges for violations of Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004), alarms and scandal, and illegal possession of bladed weapons.