Cops rescue dentist from hostage-taker in P’sinan

PACIFIED – Cops interrogate Gerardo Paquiz, the suspect in a hostage-taking at a dental clinic in Mangatarem, Pangasinan on Saturday, April 22. The suspect held a lady dentist at knifepoint for about 20 minutes before she was rescued. (Photo courtesy of Mangatarem Police Station)

By Hilda Austria 

MANGATAREM, Pangasinan – Police operatives rescued a lady dentist in this town after a security guard held her hostage on Saturday, April 22.
    In an interview, Mangatarem Police Chief Maj. Arturo Melchor Jr. said the 46-year-old suspect, Gerardo Paquiz, a security guard in a national high school, was arrested after holding hostage Dr. Kimberly Ragudo with a knife to her neck for about 20 minutes at her clinic in Barangay Calbo about 10 a.m.
    Melchor said during the negotiation, the police found an opportunity to rescue the hostage.
    “When we saw an opportunity, I immediately wrestled with the suspect while the victim was able to flee from him and we were able to suppress him and rescue the victim without further altercation,” he said.
    The suspect pretended to have a toothache and wanted to see the dentist right away.
    “He was accommodated due to his complaint but when he was at the office of the lady dentist, he brought the kitchen knife out and held her as a hostage and demanded her brother to be there,” Melchor added.
    Initial investigation showed that the dentist’s brother is accused of raping the suspect’s daughter, who is a minor, last year.
    “Paquiz filed a case against the victim’s brother for alleged rape against his minor daughter. It was filed a year ago and the case hearing is ongoing,” the police chief said.
    The victim sustained a minor injury on her shoulder while the suspect was unharmed. -- PNA