Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Acting Director Col. Hansel Marantan clarified that it was not a hostage-taking incident but a choking incident that transpired inside a Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) along Enrico Nograles National High School, Barangay Bago Aplaya, Davao City on Monday.
This developed after a video of a man choking a female passenger inside a public utility jeepney went viral on Monday. The suspect was later arrested and will be facing charges of grave coercion and physical injury.
The incident gained significant attention on social media and was labeled as a “hostage-taking.”
“We want to make it clear that there was no hostage situation. The suspect, identified as alias Renz, boarded the jeepney and suddenly choked the victim without apparent reason. No weapons were involved, and no demands were made that would constitute a hostage scenario,” said Marantan in a statement released on Tuesday.
Marantan said investigations revealed that the suspect was intoxicated and dealing with personal issues following the recent passing of his live-in partner, leaving him with two young children.
“While we understand that personal struggles can be overwhelming, they do not justify acts of violence. We urge individuals facing emotional distress or mental health issues to seek support from government agencies and mental health professionals who are equipped to help,” Marantan said.
Marantan also reminded the public to refrain from spreading unverified information online.
“Jumping to conclusions without proper investigation can lead to unnecessary panic and confusion. Let the police conduct a thorough investigation to establish the facts. Davao City Police Office remains committed to maintaining peace and order, and we encourage everyone to promote responsible use of social media by sharing only verified information,” he said.
DCPO has urged the public to refrain from posting or disseminating unverified information on social media, as it can lead to undue panic, disturb peace and order, and redirect police resources away from legitimate concerns.
To ensure thorough verification and response, DCPO also encouraged the public to report suspicious situations immediately to the closest police station.
