Hostage taker arrested

Police arrested and detained a jobless man who held hostage a saleslady after a foiled robbery inside a department store in Mandaluyong City over the weekend.

Using a chisel, the suspect, Danilo Aguirre, 29, of 726 J. Catacutan St., Barangay Vergara tried to destroy the show window of the Times Gallery Store in the Marketplace Mall along Gen. Kalentong St., at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday. He was seen by a saleslady, Ivette Sy, who shouted for help, catching the attention of security guard, Ryan Santillan, who rushed inside the store.

Aguirre grabbed another saleslady, Maureen Mandap, and threatened to kill her to keep away Santillan and other mall security guards. But another guard, John Peralta, posted himself at the exit door to prevent Aguirre from escaping. Witnesses then sought the help of the nearby police sub-station I, also along Kalentong street.

After five minutes of negotiations, Aguirre gave himself up to men of Superintendent Jose Gentiles, Mandaluyong City police chief.

Gentiles ordered the filing of attempted robbery charges against Aguirre with the city prosecutor’s office.

Meanwhile, a 39-year-old vendor was shot dead by his best friend in Tondo early yesterday morning for allegedly failing to pay a P1,300 debt. Police identified the fatality as Rodelio Del Castillo, single, of 101 Nepa St., Balut, Tondo, Manila.

The suspect, Roel Caparaz, 26, single, of 200 Malaya St., Balut, Tondo, is being hunted by operatives of the Western Police District Homicide Section after he fled following the incident. – Non Alquitran and Mike Frialde