By FREDDIE VELEZ
The swift response of police officers led to the immediate arrest of a man who held a teenage boy hostage after stabbing two individuals at the Baliwag Public Market in Barangay Poblacion, Baliwag City, Bulacan, early Wednesday morning, August 13.
Police said the incident began around 1:35 a.m. when the suspect launched the attack inside the market. After injuring two victims, he seized the boy and held him hostage, escalating the threat.
Police were alerted at 1:40 a.m. and a team from the Baliwag City Police Station arrived within minutes.
Negotiators attempted to persuade the suspect to surrender, but he refused.
Acting quickly, one officer managed to disarm and subdue the man, ending the standoff without further harm.
The injured victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the suspect was taken into custody.
He now faces charges of attempted homicide and violation of Republic Act 7610, which protects children from abuse and exploitation.
Col. Angel Garcillano, acting director of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, lauded the Baliwag officers for their decisive and courageous action.
“Ang tapang, maagap na pag-iisip, at pagkakaisa na ipinamalas ng ating mga tauhan sa Baliwag CPS ay nagligtas sa posibleng trahedya. Ang kanilang dedikasyon sa tungkulin at pagtatalaga ng sarili upang protektahan ang buhay ay sumasalamin sa pinakamahuhusay na pagpapahalaga ng Philippine National Police,” Garcillano said.
Police Regional Office 3 director Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. also commended the operating team for their swift and coordinated action.
“I commend our personnel for their bravery and readiness in this successful operation. This incident demonstrates their professionalism, courage, and quick thinking. Because of their timely and coordinated action, lives were saved and the suspect was neutralized without loss of life,” Peñones said.
The police officials said the operation aligns with the Philippine National Police’s Five-Minute Response Time policy, championed by PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
