16-Year-Old Boy Taken Hostage at Baliwag Public Market in Bulacan
A 16-year-old boy was taken hostage by a man at Baliwag Public Market in Barangay Poblacion, Bulacan, leaving two people injured.
On early Wednesday morning (August 13, 2025), a 16-year-old boy was tending to their family’s cellphone shop inside the market when a man suddenly threatened him with a knife. The suspect held the boy by his shirt and refused to let go, while the frightened teen tried to calm him down, urging him not to cause harm.
Police investigations revealed that before the hostage-taking, the 46-year-old suspect attacked two other people inside the market.
A 25-year-old female vendor was grazed on the head by the knife, while a 48-year-old security guard, who rushed to help her, sustained stab wounds to the stomach. Both were immediately brought to the hospital, with the guard remaining under medical care.
Authorities said the suspect used a 14-inch kitchen knife during the attacks. While the injuries to the first two victims were not life-threatening, the incident caused panic among vendors and shoppers in the area.
“Ito pong ginamit na kutsilyo ay isa pong kitchen knife na may haba na labing-apat na pulgada o 14 inches. Hindi naman po naging life-threatening ang mga tinamong sugat ng ating una at pangalawang biktima,” Baliwag City Police Station Operations Officer Pcapt. Ronal Tariga said.
Chased by market vendors after the initial assault, the suspect grabbed the teenage boy and used him as a hostage. Police officers quickly stepped in to negotiate, trying to calm the suspect and persuade him to release the boy.
After careful talks, they managed to safely rescue the teen without further harm. The suspect later claimed he committed the crime out of desperation, saying he felt trapped and was dealing with personal struggles.
He is now in the custody of the Baliwag City Police Station and faces charges of two counts of attempted homicide and serious illegal detention.
In a previous post, a man arrested after hostage drama involving 2-year-old girl in Parañaque
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