Pasay gunman asked to release 8 hostages

MANILA, Philippines — At least eight persons, including minors, were being held hostage by a gun-wielding man in Pasay City Wednesday morning.

An official of Barangay (village) 132 spoke to INQUIRER.net and identified the hostage taker as Christopher Magsusay, 56.

Meanwhile, a resident said Magsusay was armed with a gun while holding five minors and three adults in a house along Canoy Street. Earlier radio reports mentioned only six hostages.

Authorities said the incident started early Wednesday at about 3 or 4 a.m.

INQUIRER.net learned that the hostage taker was from Imus, Cavite, and was renting a room at the house where the victims lived.

Magsusay’s wife, who shares the rented a room, sells corn at a nearby public elementary school.

Authorities have yet to determine what prompted Magsusay to take hostages.

Pasay City police and special weapons and tactics teams have responded to the scene.

Negotiations for the release of the hostages were ongoing as of post time.