In a bold statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has lauded the rapid and professional response of law enforcement to a recent spate of hostage situations across the Philippines. Marbil emphasized that these incidents do not indicate a broader breakdown in peace and order within the nation.
From January 20 to February 18, four separate hostage-taking events unfolded in Manila, Batangas, Rizal, and Digos City. Marbil highlighted the police’s urgent actions to ensure the safe release of hostages and to prosecute those responsible. ‘Our officers have shown remarkable commitment and professionalism in these high-stakes scenarios,’ he declared.
Among the incidents, a particularly distressing case occurred in Taytay, Rizal, where a father used a karambit knife to hold his one-year-old child hostage. Similarly, in Digos City, a one-year-old girl was abducted from her home.
Despite these alarming events, Marbil reassured the public that the PNP remains on high alert, committed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a safer Philippines. ‘These are isolated incidents, not indicative of organized crime or a deteriorating security situation,’ he stated, underscoring the government’s ongoing efforts to bolster crime prevention, law enforcement, and emergency response capabilities.