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MANILA, Philippines — Police rescued a 19-year-old woman from a hostage-taking incident in Quezon City on Friday, perpetrated by a man trying to call for his estranged wife to come home.
According to a report from Novaliches police, the 29-year-old man, armed with a six-inch knife, suddenly entered a store in Barangay Bagbag and hostaged its 19-year-old caretaker identified as Jochelle Respondo at about 8:30 a.m.
Police said the victim was rescued at about 9:35 a.m. The hostage taker, meanwhile, who appeared to be experiencing depression, was subdued by the responding police team and village officials led by Lt. Col. Rossel Cejas, Novaliches police chief, and Barangay Chairman Rex Ambita.
Cejas said the hostage taker was prompted to commit the crime to get attention in calling his wife who had left him.
Police said appropriate charges will be filed against the suspect.