1 dead, 2 hurt in 2 hostage-takings

MANILA, Philippines - A man was shot dead and two others were hurt in two separate hostage-taking incidents in Pasay and Quezon City yesterday morning.

Manolo Gonzalez was shot six times by members of the Pasay police’s Special Weapons and Tactics unit after he took a woman hostage along Gil Puyat Avenue.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Llorca said two policemen accosted Gonzalez at the corner of Gil Puyat Avenue and F.B. Harrison street after seeing him carrying a bladed weapon. He said Gonzalez tried to flee and stabbed tanod Joselito Angeles when the latter tried to stop him.

With police officers in pursuit, he forced his way into a woman’s house and took her hostage. Once inside, Gonzalez began stabbing the 33-year-old woman, prompting SWAT police officers to shoot him, Llorca said.

At around 6 a.m. yesterday, a man tried but failed to take a church worker hostage at the Immaculate Conception church in Cubao, Quezon City.

Roel Sabaceo, 38, allegedly barged into the church, where a prayer meeting was being held, and took “sacristan mayor” Cicero Raterta, 42, hostage, according to Quezon City Police District deputy director for administration Superintendent Joel Pagdilao.  

He said Sabaceo mentioned his child’s school tuition and the results of his psychiatric exam as reasons for the hostage-taking. Pagdilao said Raterta grappled for possession of the gun and overpowered Sabaceo. It was then he found out that Sabaceo’s gun was a replica.

QCPD Station 10 commander Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. said the suspect appeared to be mentally disturbed.

Pagdilao said the suspect is facing cases for slight illegal detention, violation of the Omnibus Election Code and interruption of religious worship. – Perseus Echeminada, Reinir Padua