Charges filed vs 5 Dau hostage-takers

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police have filed charges of robbery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against five men who held six people hostage during a failed heist at a Western Union branch in Barangay Dau, Mabalacat town last Friday.

Charged in the San Fernando City prosecutor’s office were Randy Ledason, 29; Nelio Pawelas, 27; Wilfredo Chavenia, 39; Jaymar Reyes, 33; and Abe Nungay, 32.

Pretending as customers, the five suspects barged into the Western Union branch in Barangay Dau at about 12:30 p.m., disarmed the lone security guard, Eizalto Bescande, and announced a holdup.

Lawmen deployed nearby noticed the incident, prompting a combined force from the city, provincial and regional police to rush to the area.

This forced the suspects to hold hostage Bescande, Western Union employees Glen Simeon, Rosalie Oriosa and Alicia Mace, and customers Lorenzo Palo and Charina Hermosura.

The suspects eventually gave themselves up. Seized from them were two caliber .45 pistols, two 9-mm pistols, a knife and Bescande’s shotgun.