Hostage drama in Marawi City ends in tragedy as suspect is gunned down

Title Variations

Catchy Title: Hostage drama in Marawi City ends in tragedy as suspect is gunned down

RSS Title: Man killed after taking 6-year-old girl hostage in Marawi City

With Emotion: "Ligtas na ang bata." Hero cop foils terrifying hostage attempt in Marawi

Facebook Headline: "Naging agresibo ang suspek." Isang 6-anyos na bata, himalang nakaligtas sa madugong hostage-taking sa Marawi City matapos rumesponde ang isang jogging na pulis!

Formal Title: Authorities neutralize hostage suspect in Marawi City; minor victim rescued and treated for injuries.

Five Additional Formal Titles

1. Police Regional Office-BAR reports fatal shooting of hostage-taker in Marawi incident
2. Investigation underway following early morning hostage crisis in Barangay Sabala Manao Proper
3. Law enforcement officer intervenes in violent abduction of six-year-old girl in Marawi
4. Suspected substance-influenced individual killed during police response to hostage situation
5. Marawi City Police Station releases statement on neutralization of unidentified hostage suspect

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Story Highlights

• A 28-year-old man was killed by a police officer after taking a six-year-old girl hostage in Marawi City early Sunday morning
• The suspect was believed to be under the influence of illegal substances when he forcibly entered the victim's home and held a knife to her neck
• Police Senior Master Sergeant Sohair Solaiman who was jogging in the area tried to negotiate with the suspect before backup arrived
• The victim sustained injuries to her face and arm but is now in stable condition at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center

A quiet Sunday morning in Marawi City turned into a life-and-death struggle as authorities were forced to neutralize a man who held a young girl at knifepoint. The incident, which occurred in Barangay Sabala Manao Proper on December 21, 2025, ended with the death of the 28-year-old suspect and the rescue of a six-year-old victim.

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According to reports from the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), the suspect—whose identity remains unknown to local residents—allegedly broke into the victim's house while believed to be under the influence of illegal substances. In a terrifying turn of events, he forcibly took the child and held a knife against her neck, threatening her life in front of her home.

Fate played a role in the initial response when Police Senior Master Sergeant Sohair Solaiman, a member of the Molunda Municipal Police Station, happened to be jogging nearby. Seeing the commotion, the off-duty officer immediately stepped in to negotiate. Solaiman reportedly spent several tense minutes trying to convince the suspect to release the child peacefully.

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However, the situation took a violent turn when additional personnel from the Marawi City Police Station arrived at the scene. Seeing the reinforcements, the suspect reportedly became more aggressive and began to physically harm the little girl. This prompted the responding officers to open fire to prevent further injury to the child. The suspect sustained gunshot wounds to his left cheek and body and was pronounced dead before reaching the hospital.

Marawi City has been a focal point of security efforts in the region, particularly after the historic 2017 siege. While the city has largely rebuilt and moved toward peace, isolated incidents of crime and substance-related violence still pose challenges to local law enforcement. This recent hostage-taking has once again put the community on high alert as investigators work to determine the suspect's background and motive.

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As of this writing, the six-year-old girl is recovering at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center. Although she suffered injuries to her face and arm during the scuffle, medical personnel have declared her safe. Local authorities are still conducting a backtracking investigation to identify the suspect, as neighbors claim he was not a familiar face in the barangay.

The quick actions of the police in Marawi highlight the ongoing vigilance required to keep communities safe from sudden acts of violence. For more stories on how authorities handle high-stakes hostage situations and public safety threats, you may read these reports:

This article details a successful police operation in Quezon where a suspect was taken into custody without loss of life. It describes the intense negotiations and the eventual high-speed chase that led to the suspect's capture. The story emphasizes the importance of tactical patience and coordination among different police units.

In a different outcome for a weapon-related incident, this report follows a man who threatened a laundry shop employee with a blade. Despite the initial danger, the suspect was eventually released after the victim chose not to pursue legal action. The article explores the complexities of local law enforcement and victim cooperation in criminal cases.

Source: KAMI.com.gh