2 charged in Cavite hostage drama

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police have charged two men who held 16 people hostage for 12 hours that led to the death of one of the hostages and wounding of a policeman in Imus, Cavite last Saturday.

Superintendent Rommel Estolano, Calabarzon police spokesman, said charges of serious illegal detention, homicide, frustrated homicide and attempted homicide were filed against hostage-takers Jun de los Santos, 30, and Roger Santos, 28, both residents of San Ildefonso, Bulacan.

Estolano said Santos and De los Santos allegedly belong to the Apeng kidnapping gang that operates in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog.

Estolano said the two eluded arrest in a shootout with policemen following the rescue of four kidnap victims in Noveleta, Cavite. One of their companions was arrested in the operation.  – Ed Amoroso