A saleswoman survived a hostage-taking incident Tuesday after she was held at knifepoint by a man inside an electronic gadgets store at a mall in Lipa City, Batangas.
Videos shared by mallgoers circulated on Facebook, showing the guy locking a visibly distraught woman in a chokehold. Authorities were called in to respond.
The Philippine Red Cross sent emergency medical personnel and an ambulance in the event the situation turned for the worse.
The hostage drama went for a few hours until the man decided to step out of the store still holding his victim.
Moments later, they were filmed approaching an escalator going down. The cops chased after the suspect and tackled him.
He was arrested on site. Witnesses online said the victim was safe.
Earlier, another hostage drama also took place in Manila. A man reportedly stabbed someone before taking a woman hostage at a shop along Recto corner Rizal Avenues.
Officers from the Manila Police District managed to negotiate with the suspect and eventually rescued his victim unharmed, according to reports.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated story. Originally posted with the headline “Woman held hostage in Batangas mall.”