Knife-wielding ex-soldier shot after foiled robbery, hostage-taking incident

BACOLOD City, Philippines—A retired Army corporal was shot and wounded after he allegedly took a nursing graduate hostage following a foiled attempt to rob a jeepney driver here on Monday.

Senior Superintendent Ricardo de la Paz, Bacolod police director, identified the suspect as retired Army Corporal Herman Glory Macalde, 33, of Barangay 9, Victorias City, who was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City for treatment.

Macalde was on board a passenger jeep near the Capitol Lagoon Park along Lacson St. when he held up the driver using two bread knives, De la Paz said.

But the driver fought back, catching the attention of Binalbagan town policemen who were on their way to lunch.

The policemen pursued Macalde, who escaped on board a taxi.

Upon reaching the 7th St. in Bacolod City, Macalde grabbed a 23-year-old nursing graduate (whose name was withheld by the police upon her request) to use her as a shield.

As he tried to flee by boarding a passing jeepney, Macalde stabbed one of the policemen who approached him so he was shot on the right side of the body.

Bystanders who saw the events unfold clapped their hands and congratulated the police when Macalde was arrested.

Police said they learned that Macalde was discharged from the Army service in 2009 when he allegedly suffered from a nervous breakdown after being assigned in Mindanao.