Hostage taker shot dead

URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan — A jobless man who held hostage a 14-year-old boy after stabbing a photographer was shot dead the other day in Barangay Poblacion here.

Police Superintendent Manuel Obrera, Urdaneta City police chief, identified the hostage-taker as Michael Cendana, of Poblacion.

Obrera in his report to the Pangasinan PNP provincial office said that the suspect took Gabby Eclera, 14 of Asingan town, after he stabbed Jimmy Pioquinto, a commercial photographer.

Investigation showed that Pioquinto barred Cendana from entering a photo developing center which angered the later and led to the stabbing incident.

City police responded and when about to be accosted, the suspect reportedly threw stones at the lawmen, hit the police vehicle’s windshield and took Eclera from an internet café as hostage.

Obrera and his men together with former barangay captain Henry Casem tried to negotiate with Cendana to lay down his bladed weapon and release the hostage but the suspect threatened to kill his hostage if the lawmen would not withdraw.

Obrera said they withdraw but when he got a chance, he shot the hostage-taker (Cendana) hitting the suspect in the head.