Laguna hostage-taker gunned down

SAN PEDRO, Laguna — A suspected drug user, who killed his parents and sister after holding them hostage for two hours, was shot dead by responding policemen in Barangay Landayan here last Wednesday afternoon.

Superintendent Sergio Dimandal, San Pedro police chief, identified those killed as hostage-taker Valentin Barlao, 42; his father Silverio, 72, mother, Patrocinia, and sister Florentina Calibay.

Quoting Barlao’s relatives, Dimandal said Barlao, a former overseas contract worker, was high on drugs when he barged into his parents’ house at about 5:50 p.m. and then shot his father and sister, who both died on the spot.

Barlao also shot his mother, who later died at the Perpetual Medical Hospital in Biñan town.

Retired police colonel Ernesto Calibay, Barlao’s brother-in-law, said Barlao was furious over what he claimed was an unfair division of his parents’ house and lot as part of their inheritance.

Dimandal ordered the assault when Barlao also took hostage his mentally handicapped brother Gil after shooting his parents and sister. — With Ed Amoroso