Two women held hostage in Recto

FEU Advocate
February 19, 2025 14:25


Two women were hostaged by a male suspect inside an ID lace shop along Recto Avenue cor. Rizal Avenue, Manila yesterday, February 18. 

Based on the initial reports, the suspect was being chased by the police due to his recent stabbing case, during which he entered an ID lace shop and held the shop owner at knifepoint alongside a 66-year-old woman.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel John Guiagui, the suspect went to Recto to demand for his salary of P20,000 which his employer refused to give.

The 45-year-old suspect was reportedly a fixer in Recto, armed with two knives during the hostage-taking.

Moreover, the suspect requested to be paid and see his mother, which was granted by Guiagui, leading to the release of victims. Guiagui also stated that he handed over the P20,000 salary to the suspect’s mother.

After about an hour of negotiations with the hostage-taker, the authorities rescued the victims and secured the suspect. 

The suspect was then taken into Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center before he was brought to Police Station 3 at Plaza Miranda.

Meanwhile, the suspect claimed in the police station that he had no intention of taking hostage and was only running away from the police.

Manila Police District closed both sides of Recto due to the incident which caused traffic.

According to the Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, the hostage-taker will face illegal detention, alarm and scandal, and illegal possession of deadly weapon. 

- Kasharelle Javier
(Photo courtesy of Ryan Baldemor/The Philippine STAR)