QC cops rescue boy from hostage-taker

Police shot yesterday a 23-year-old epileptic after he held his 10-year-old cousin hostage inside their house before midnight the other day in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City.

Cristeo Ronquillo, of 2152 Baser street, Commonwealth, suffered a bullet wound in the leg and is now detained at the Central Police District headquarters awaiting proper charges to be filed against him.

He was shot and collared after he held his young cousin, Prince Jewel Baranda, hostage. Police sources said Ronquillo, who is suffering from epilepsy, suddenly ran amuck at about 11 p.m. inside their home.

Investigators said Ronquillo, who was celebrating his birthday, seemed "mentally-ill" and ordered his cousin to stab him to death, which the young boy refused to do.

The suspect then took a kitchen knife and grabbed Baranda and threatened him with harm. Responding policemen immediately arrived at the scene and began calming down and negotiating with Ronquillo.

At about 12:15 a.m., however, the suspect started hitting the boy. This prompted one of the police officers to shoot the victim once in the left side of his leg. Ronquillo collapsed to the ground and let go of Baranda.

Authorities apprehended the bleeding suspect and took him and Baranda to a nearby clinic for medical treatment.