ANGELES CITY — A one-year old girl, who was held hostage by her mentally challenged mother, was rescued by authorities following 20 minutes drama at a shanty situated along Tarlac Street, Barangay Balibago here, police said Thursday.
Police Colonel Joyce Patrick Sangalang, officer-in-charge of the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO), said policemen and barangay officials responded quickly leading to the rescue of the victim and arrest of suspect.
Sangalang said residents in the community sought police assistance after they noticed that a woman held at knife-point an infant while yelling to kill her hostage.
Bgy. Balibago Chairman Rodelio “Tony” Mamac, a retired police officer, who heard of the commotion, volunteered to lead the negotiating team with the policemen headed by Police Major Dickson Tolentino.
Mamac, who was trained in hostage crisis situation during his stint in the police service, negotiated with the victim’s mother who yielded shortly after a brief talk.
“The victim’s mother positively displayed mental problem during the negotiation for the safe release of the infant,” stated Mamac in his social media account.Policemen took into their custody the hostage taker with the knife used in the drama where she was referred tor psychiatric test at the Ospital Ning Angeles.The victim was taken to teh care of social welfare office.
