Hostage-taker nabbed

A 28-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for holding a 10-year-old boy hostage after a fellow suspected drug addict refused to give him illegal drugs.

Chester Matias, of 193 BMBA St., 2nd Avenue East, Grace Park, Caloocan, surrendered to police two hours after holding his victim hostage.

The victim, Gary Valencia, a Grade 4 pupil of the Herrera Elementary School, was rescued by the police unharmed.

Case investigator SPO2 Vivencio Gamboa said the hostage-taking took place at about 5:30 p.m. inside the victim’s house at 530 BMBA Street.

Reports showed that Matias tried to purchase shabu from an alleged drug user, known only as Ronnie. The transaction, however, failed to materialize.

The suspect suddenly went berserk and drew a caliber .38 pistol and waved it at Ronnie. But bystanders intervened and tried to apprehend Matias.

The suspect ran away, but he came across two patrolling policemen. Matias thought that the cops were after him, so he forced himself inside the victim’s house. The suspect grabbed Valencia and used him as human shield. Responding policemen arrived and talked Matias into giving up.– Matthew Estabillo