Photo courtesy of PNP
Police rescued an 18-year-old woman and arrested her father after a hostage incident inside a residence in Bugallon, Pangasinan, on Aug. 24.
The Bugallon Municipal Police Station responded to a distress call and found the suspect armed with a bolo while the woman remained inside the house.
Personnel from the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office and its tactical team were later deployed to reinforce responding officers at the scene.
Police negotiators initially tried to calm the suspect and were able to persuade him to put down the weapon.
Authorities later moved in after the situation again became unsafe and the woman faced further danger, resulting in the suspect being restrained and the victim brought to safety.
The woman was given medical attention and psychological support, while her father was placed under police custody pending the filing of appropriate charges.
“Our officers did what they were trained to do: they assessed the danger, tried to calm the situation, and stepped in when necessary. Ang mahalaga, ligtas ang biktima at naibalik ang kontrol sa sitwasyon,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
The PNP urged the public to immediately seek police assistance in dangerous situations and avoid actions that could place victims or bystanders at greater risk.