CPPO lauds Argao police chief, pushes for award

CEBU, Philippines - For successfully negotiating the release of a wife held hostage by her husband in Argao, the Cebu Provincial Police Office will be recommending that the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 will award Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos, Argao police chief, with a Medalya ng Kagalingan.

Batobalonos succeeded in making suspect, Michael Villamora, surrender during the hostage taking in Barangay Lapay, Argao, Thursday afternoon.

Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, CPPO director, commended Batobalonos for peacefully and successfully handling the situation.

“He showed a good job in negotiating the suspect and he deserves an award,” Comendador said.

Batobalonos thanked Comendador for recognizing their efforts.

“It encourages us to work hard unya nagpasalamat mi nga nakita ni PD (Comendador) ang among nabuhat, (we are thankful that PD acknowledged our accomplishment),” Batobalonos said.

Villamora, 31, held hostage his wife, Jinky Villamora, 30, inside their house as policemen were serving an arrest warrant for murder, attempted murder and frustrated murder.

Villamora was armed with a hand grenade and a .45 pistol with one magazine loaded with eight bullets.

Due to Michael’s refusal to surrender, Batobalonos called for back-up from the CPPO headquarters. Two teams of Special Reaction Unit were immediately deployed and a plot to barge into the house was planned.

The negotiation lasted for three hours before Michael decided to surrender, also upon the request of his wife, Jinky.

Michael said he did not have any intention to hostage his wife and it was his decision to voluntarily surrender to the police.

“Wa koy plano nga makahimo ug kadaut sa kadaghanan gi-unungan lang ko sa akong asawa kay kahibalo siya unsa akong problema. (I never planned on harming anyone. My wife merely sympathized with me because she knows my problem),” Michael said.

He also has pending cases for rape and attempted rape.

Jinky said she feared that Michael would end his life if she left him at that time.

“Wa lang nako siya biyai kay basin maghikog unya, gihimo man pud nako tanan nga ma-convince siya kay kung gusto ko modagan makahimo man ko. (I did not leave him because he might commit suicide. I did everything I could to convince him because if I really wanted to, I could easily run away),” she confessed.

Charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives as well as serious illegal detention are being prepared against Michael.  (FREEMAN)