DILG chief  lauds fast police action in ending Taft bus hostage-taking

INTERIOR Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento on Thursday commended the quick action of the Manila Police District to end the bus hostage-taking incident along Taft Avenue.

Sarmiento said the police response was commendable given the difficulty of the situation.

“Nais kong ipabatid na agarang naaksyunan ng ating [mga pulis] ang naging hostage taking sa isang pampasaherong bus sa may Taft Avenue sa pamumuno nina PSupt. Albert Barot at SPO4 Ruel Briones,” Sarmiento said in a statement.

“Mahirap ang ganitong sitwasyon dahil sa magkasing-bigat na obligasyon ng ating mga pulis sa taktika at sa negosasyon,” he added.

Passengers of a southbound HM Transport Bus were held hostage by an unidentified man armed with knife past 2 p.m. near the LRT Pedro Gil Station. The hostage-taker was shot 30 minutes after the police were alerted on the incident, and was declared dead on arrival at the Philippine General Hospital.

READ: Passenger bus held hostage in Manila; at least 1 hurt | Taft hostage-taker shot dead

Sarmiento said the quick resolution was a testament to heroism and efficiency of local police.

“Patunay ito ng kabayanihan ng kapulisan at positibong epekto ng Oplan Lambat Sibat kung saan mas pinaigting ang pagpapatrolya ng kapulisan sa mga lansangan upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng aming mga boss—ang taumbayan,” he said.

READ: 2010 lesson learned: Manila bus hostage-taking over in 30 minutes