CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A policeman successfully gunned down a hostage-taker in a passenger bus travelling along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) at the portion of Mexico and Mabalacat towns yesterday afternoon.
Chief Insp. Michael Masangay of the Pampanga police reported the incident to Gov. Lilia “Baby” Pineda while she was in a meeting here yesterday at the Capitol.
Pineda immediately called up Mabalacat police chief Supt. Rolly Mendoza to inquire about the hostage crisis which started in Mexico town and ended in Mabalacat.
Police has yet to identify the suspect who injured three others, including P02 Eduardo Santiago who rode the Five Star bus in Cubao, Quezon City with them.
“The hostage taker is yet to be identified but he is reportedly from Magalang. The brave policeman is not assigned in Pampanga,’” said Pineda in the dialect after speaking with Mendoza on the phone.
But Pineda said she was saddened by the report that Santiago was in critical condition at the St. Rafael in Mabalacat.
The governor has ordered his transfer to the better-equipped Amado Garcia Medical Center in Angeles City.
Pineda also immediately asked her people to give assistance to Santiago.
“This courageous act should be commended,” said Pineda. She added that two injured passengers were taken at the Mabalacat District Hospital.
Pineda said the Pampanga police was still investigating how come Santiago was the one driving the bus and not the bus driver or the suspect.
“Santiago reportedly made the bus meet an accident so that he can stop the suspect,” said Pineda.
