4 hurt in Camarines Sur hostage drama

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines - – At least four people were wounded when a scion of a clan that owns several businesses in Camarines Sur held hostage his father and brother in Pili town yesterday morning.

Those wounded were identified as Ericson Amarao, Andrea Zepeda, Rubilyn Adisas, and Rene Vicencio. 

Superintendent Ramil Bausa, Camarines Sur police director, said two of the four were hit by bullets when the suspect, Anthony Zepeda, fired an Armalite rifle shortly after he took hostage his father, Expedido, and brother Victor following a verbal tussle in their home in Barangay New San Roque, Pili town.

Amarao and Zepeda, the suspect’s nephew and niece, respectively, were rushed to the Mother Seton Hospital in Naga City. Amarao was hit in the shoulder, and Zepeda, in the abdomen.

The two other victims were bystanders who suffered cuts and bruises when they ran for their safety during the shooting.

Dillo Gallardo, another nephew of the suspect, said his uncle allegedly got hooked on illegal drugs after his wife left him several months ago.

Gallardo said his uncle locked up his father and brother in a room while police negotiated his surrender.

As of press time, Bausa said his men were still negotiating for the safe release of the hostages.

The Zepeda clan owns milling and animal feed manufacturing businesses in Pili and other parts of Camarines Sur.