Two injured in Digos City hostage crisis

DAVAO CITY — A minor visiting the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and a BJMP officer were injured during a hostage-taking incident in Digos City, Davao del Sur, at approximately 12:29 p.m. on Sunday, October 20.

According to Police Colonel Florence Reyes, chief of the Digos City Police, the incident occurred during the BJMP’s family day celebration. Armed with a knife, inmates took two children, aged 6 and 10, who had been brought there by a BJMP vehicle.

The Digos Police responded promptly, with the Special Tactics and Reaction Unit arriving at 2:15 p.m. Negotiations led by JS Inspector Erwin Pantojan successfully resolved the crisis at 2:30 p.m.

The three inmates involved—Shelly Calay Salda, Jobert Masday, and Dante Pindatun, all from Kiblawan, have been relocated to another cell, they three are facing charges of murder, frustrated murder, and homicide before the court aside from today’s incident.

The inmates demanded that they be sent home to Kiblawan, but this is not feasible since they are facing charges.

The injured individuals were quickly transported to the hospital and are currently in stable condition.