Marine takes live-in partner hostage over TikTok account

ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/12 January)—Police arrested here a member of the Philippine Marine Corps after he took his live-in partner hostage inside their rented room here in Mango Drive, Barangay Baliwasan this city Saturday, January 10.  

The police identified the marine as Private Leomar Potestad y Aquino, 27, assigned at the Marine Battalion Landing Team (MBLT) 6 in Cotabato City.

The victim was identified as  Aizel Halup y Chavez, 24, a lotto teller and the marine’s live-in partner.

According to police investigators, the couple was in their boarding house Friday when Potestad  suddenly asked about the victim’s TikTok account and demanded to see her mobile phone.

A member of the Philippine Marine Corps is arrested after taking his live-in partner hostage Saturday, January 10, 2026 in Zamboanga City. Photo courtesy of Marine Battalion Landing Team 1

“The two engaged in a discussion regarding certain matters which later escalated into a heated argument, prompting the suspect to strangle the victim using a belt placed around her neck,” said PSSg. Cherilyn Lagayan.

“Thereafter, the suspect pointed his issued firearm at the victim and uttered the threat, ‘Patayin kita.’ The victim, frightened by the threat, refrained from making any noise inside the boarding house. She pleaded with her live-in partner to release her; however, the suspect refused and continued to threaten her with death,” PSSG Lagayan continued.

The next day, on January 10, 2026, at about 9 in the morning, the victim again asked to be let go but the marine ignored her plea and continued pointing his issued firearm at her.

“Summoning her strength and courage, the victim shouted for help and instructed her sister, who was on the second floor of the boarding house, to call for police assistance, stating that her live-in partner was threatening to kill her while pointing a firearm at her. Upon hearing the call for help, the victim’s sister immediately sought assistance from Barangay Baliwasan, whose personnel promptly responded and coordinated with Zamboanga City Police Station 11 (ZCPS11),” Lagayan said.

At about 5:30 in the afternoon of the same date, personnel of the Zamboanga City Police Station 11 successfully intercepted and apprehended the suspect.

Confiscated from the suspect’s possession was one (1) unit .45 caliber firearm bearing Serial Number 051463AFP, along with three (3) metal magazines loaded with .45 caliber ammunition. Subsequently, the suspect and the confiscated evidence were brought to the police Zamboanga City Police Station 11.  (Frencie L. Carreon, MindaNews)