North Luzon Expressway. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippine–The knife-wielding man who took hostage a bus with at least 10 passengers on Monday morning has been arrested by the police.
After almost three hours of hostage drama, policemen were able to get inside the Everlasting bus (UVL 797) and arrest Lauro Sanchez who claimed that he was framed up by the police for a crime he did not commit.
The disgruntled man held hostage the bus, which was on its way to Cubao from Tuguegarao, around 6:30 a.m. on the Sta. Rita toll exit of North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) in Guiguinto, Bulacan
Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Divina, Bulacan Provincial Police Office director, said Sanchez threatened to harm at knife-point male and female passengers whom the police have not identified yet.
As negotiations of the police with Sanchez failed, the Bulacan police’s crisis management committee decided to launch an assault against the hostage-taker.
All 10 passengers, the bus driver and conductor were rescued safe.
However, Divina said two policemen were hurt after grappling with Sanchez, who attempted to resist the arrest.
Guiguinto police already have the suspect in their custody.
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Originally posted: 9:08 am | Monday, October 20th, 2014