Guard arrested for taking doctor hostage

MANILA, Philippines — An injured security guard seeking treatment at the emergency room of East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City on Wednesday was arrested after he took a doctor hostage.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) identified the suspect as Hilarion Achondo, a resident of Project 8, who was brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) in Camp Karingal for investigation.

His motive for taking the woman doctor hostage for around 10 minutes has yet to be determined by investigators, CIDU chief Maj. Elmer Monsalve said in a radio interview.

According to the QCPD, the 51-year-old security guard went to the hospital emergency room before dawn on Wednesday to seek treatment after he injured himself in a motorcycle accident.

But at 5:50 a.m., the police said Achondo suddenly took a syringe and pointed it at the attending physician.

The QCPD said policemen from the CIDU, who happened to be at the hospital to investigate another case, were able to respond immediately to the hostage-taking incident.

They talked to the suspect for several minutes before he agreed to release his hostage and throw away the syringe.

The police said Achondo did not make any demands while the doctor did not sustain any physical injuries from the incident. Despite this, the suspect may face grave coercion and alarm and scandal charges, according to authorities.