SIBAGAT, Agusan del Sur — A dramatic hostage crisis aboard a passenger bus ended fatally for the suspect after he attempted to stab one of his hostages during a tense police negotiation at dawn on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025.
The incident occurred around 12:42 a.m. at Purok 2, Barangay Poblacion, when a man wearing a maroon shirt and black shorts allegedly drew a knife and threatened passengers of a bus traveling from Davao City to Butuan City. According to the Sibagat Municipal Police Station, the suspect boarded the vehicle in Bayugan City and soon began making threats, prompting bus conductor Jofe Talisik Samuya, 31, of Bukidnon, to immediately alert the authorities when they stopped near the Sibagat Police Station.
Noticing the presence of police officers, the suspect seized two passengers—both residents of Davao City—as hostages, while other passengers scrambled to safety outside the bus.
Police engaged the hostage-taker in negotiations for more than an hour to convince him to surrender peacefully. The tension escalated as the suspect repeatedly warned he would stab the hostages if officers attempted to approach.
In a strategic move, police personnel boarded the bus disguised as crew members while the negotiation continued. PSMS Limalh Pitos, along with Pat. Lord Jim Cabillete and PCPT Sayson C. Cañete, positioned themselves inside the vehicle as part of the operation. As the bus continued to move, officers remained close to the suspect, prepared to intervene should the situation worsen.
The standoff reached a critical point when the suspect attempted to stab the remaining hostage. Acting swiftly to neutralize the threat, PSMS Pitos drew his service firearm and shot the suspect, who was declared dead on the spot.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the identity of the suspect and the motive behind the attack.
Despite the tragic end, police officials emphasized that their swift action prevented further harm to the passengers during what could have been a far more devastating incident on Christmas Day.