MANILA – A hostage-taker was shot dead after stabbing his victim in Pasay City on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Llorca, chief of Pasay City Police, said they were alerted after the suspect was seen toting two knives along Harrison Street at around 5 p.m.

As the policemen were about to apprehend him, the suspect ran away and stabbed pedicab driver Joselito Reyes.

The suspect then entered a house and held 30-year-old Joal Olmogis hostage.

Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel shot the suspect after the latter started stabbing Olmogis.

Olmogis and Reyes were both rushed to Manila Adventist Medical Center for treatment. Olmogis sustained five stab wounds.

Police have yet to determine what triggered the suspect, who appeared to be in his 30s, to run amok. – report from Dennis Datu, dzMM