Man who took child hostage shot dead

Three unidentified armed men reportedly shot to death an alleged hostage-taker who had earlier shot and seriously wounded a barangay volunteer Friday night in Malabon City.

Superintendent Pedro Ramos, Malabon City police chief, identified the fatality as Michael Dalimpapas, 25, of Dumpsite, Barangay Catmon, Malabon City.

According to the police, at about 9 p.m. Friday, Romulo Bartolada, 35, a garbage collector, was gathering garbage at Dumpsite with his 10-year-old daughter, Joy, when he saw Dalimpapas being chased by three armed men.

While trying to evade his pursuers, Dalimpapas, armed with a handgun, exchanged shots with the unidentified attackers. When he was about to be cornered, Dalimpapas reportedly took Bartolada’s daughter hostage and used her as a human shield, the police said.

Concerned residents, however, came to the girl’s rescue and tried to block Dalimpapas’ path.

Vincent Angcon, 18, a barangay volunteer, was able to free the hostage unharmed from Dalimpapas’ clutches after the girl bit the suspect’s hand.

But while Angcon was leading away the girl, Dalimpapas allegedly shot him, hitting him in the body.

Dalimpapas’ attackers caught up with him and shot him to death. The three armed men immediately fled after the incident and are now being hunted by the police.

Angcon was taken to Tondo Medical Center for treatment while Dalimpapas’ cadaver was brought to the Valenzuela Funeral Homes.

Police recovered from the fatality’s possession an improvised shotgun and bullets for a caliber .38 revolver.