Police: Inmate takes fellow convict hostage in Pampanga

An inmate longing for his family took a fellow convict hostage at the provincial jail in Pampanga province on Friday morning, the police said. Pampanga police chief Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio said the inmate used a bladed weapon to take his fellow convict hostage. "Hindi lang dinadalaw ng pamilya kaya siguro bumigay, na disturb," Tinio said in an interview on dzBB radio. The inmate promised to release his hostage once his relative arrives. Tinio said arrangements were made for the inmate's sibling to visit him at the jail. The relative was expected to arrive from Pangasinan within the day. "We have his assurance su-surrender siya peacefully," Tinio said. In the meantime, Tinio said he has deployed a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team to the jail. Tinio cited initial reports indicating that the hostage-taker had some mood swings, although he accepted food given by jail officials. He said the jail warden will investigate the incident after it is resolved. - VVP, GMA News