By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – Police arrested a 38-year-old man after he held his family hostage inside his sister’s house in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City, last Saturday.
Police Captain Francis Depasucat, head of Police Station 4, said the suspect, armed with a knife and a hammer, locked the gate after climbing a perimeter wall to enter his sister’s house that afternoon.
The suspect’s elderly mother, his sister, and her two children, aged 10 and 12, hid in one of the bedrooms for safety while the suspect went on a rampage, destroying appliances and other items in the living room, Depasucat said.
Police and the suspect’s other family members attempted to negotiate with him, but he ignored them and responded sarcastically.
Depasucat added that the suspect had been kicked out of the house by his sister due to his unruly behavior, which police believe may have caused him to hold grudges against his family.
The suspect was reportedly shouting and arguing with his sister and mother about money and family matters, which escalated his aggressive behavior.
The situation worsened when the suspect attempted to open the bedroom door, prompting the police to forcibly enter the house through the locked living room door.
After more than an hour of negotiations, police subdued the suspect, although he resisted strongly.
Depasucat reported that the suspect sustained minor injuries during the struggle, and some officers were also hurt.
The four victims were safely rescued, and the suspect is now in police custody.
Charges are being prepared against the suspect, who had previously been arrested for illegal gambling and illegal possession of a firearm.
