MANILA — A hostage-taking incident in Barangay 1786 in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City ended peacefully Thursday after the suspect surrendered to police authorities at around 3 p.m.

Police said suspect Jerry De Leon held his former live-in partner Rebelyn Degado and their two children, aged 5 and 7, hostage inside Degado’s home in Phase 7 at around 9 a.m.

De Leon first released the two children and later released Degado after over five hours of negotiation.

“Nakiusap na lang din po ako sa kanya na ‘di ko na lang po siya ipapakulong,” Degado told radio dzMM.

Initial investigation showed that De Leon went to the victims’ house at around 7 a.m. after finding out that Degado already lives with another man. The suspect reportedly wanted to reconcile with Degado and gain custody of their two children.

However, Degado refused to reunite with De Leon, which angered him.

“Nagulat na lang po ako… Pagpasok niya sa loob, kinausap niya ako tapos sabi niya ‘Ito na ang pagkakataon. ‘Di na ko natatakot pumatay ng tao.’ tapos tinutukan niya ko ng kutsilyo,” Degado said.

The Caloocan Police, led by Chief Supt. Carlito Dimalanta, said a neighbor told them De Leon and Degado separated December last year.

Authorities said the current live-in partner of Degado was not in the house when the hostage-taking occurred.

The two children have been turned over to personnel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The victims were not hurt in the incident.

De Leon, meanwhile, is now under police custody. — Reports from Johnson Manabat and Robert Mano, dzMM