Cops defer case against hostage taker

By Mar T. Supnad

CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur- The chief of police here said Thursday the man who held hostage a three-year old boy could have been mentally deranged even as police have still to file a case against him.

Supt. Marlo Castillo said they rescued the victim unharmed identified as Allen Calindas, a minor.

The suspect was identified as Dominador Millan, 42, a carpenter, both residents of this city’s Barangay Gabor.

A police report disclosed that at about 7 a.m. Sept. 18, the suspect called the victim (the son of one of his nephews) and offered the child a piece of rice cake.

Suddenly he abducted the boy and brought inside the comfort room of the house of one Jaime Galanta, another nephew.

Armed with a kitchen knife, the suspect locked himself and the boy inside the comfort room, sending relatives into panic.

Castillo said the responding policemen immediately cordoned off the area as they activated the Crisis Management Task Group.

A negotiation ensued between the hostage-taker and Castillo.

After peaceful negotiation, the hostage-taker was persuaded to open the door of the comfort room, which gave Castillo the chance to subdue and disarm the armed suspect.

Seized from the suspect were the kitchen knife and a hammer. He was brought to the city police station and will be charged for illegal detention.