The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured the public’s safety despite four consecutive hostage-taking incidents in the first part of the year.
This includes the two simultaneous hostage crises in Manila and Batangas recently, where the PNP responded swiftly in both incidents.
Prior to the aforementioned incidents, a suspect entered the house of a hostage victim in Digos City, while a father took his child hostage in Taytay, Rizal.
PNP Public Information Chief PCOL Randulf Tuano emphasized that all of these incidents were promptly addressed by the authorities, resulting in the arrest and filing of charges against the perpetrators.
According to PNP Chief PGen Rommel Francisco Marbil, this demonstrates the expertise of the personnel who handled the negotiations and responded to such crises.
Moreover, these incidents are considered isolated and do not suggest a rising trend in this type of crime.
The PNP recently reported a nearly 27-percent reduction in the focus crime rate from January to mid-February, compared to the same period in 2024.
