Hostage rescued during Mandaluyong standoff

Police rescued a 52-year-old woman and arrested a 43-year-old man following an armed hostage standoff inside a commercial building Wednesday morning.

The Eastern Police District reported the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on the second floor of the RJ Fran Building along E. Pantaleon Street in Barangay Barangka Drive.

Responding units from Mandaluyong City Police Station Substation 4, the Intelligence Unit, the Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Tactical Motorcycle Rider Unit, and the Criminal Investigation Unit cordoned off the area and initiated negotiations.

Authorities identified the suspect as an unemployed resident of Santa Maria, Bulacan, who was recently released from prison and had reportedly expressed a desire to return to custody. Police noted he had no prior personal relationship with the victim.

During negotiations, the suspect demanded media coverage before releasing the hostage. Members of the SWAT team took advantage of a tactical opening, breached the room, and subdued the suspect without injury to the victim.

Officers recovered a 10-inch kitchen knife at the scene. Both the victim and suspect were transported to the Mandaluyong City Medical Center for routine evaluation.

The suspect remains in custody at the Mandaluyong City Police Station custodial facility facing complaints of serious illegal detention and illegal possession of a deadly weapon.