The family of Dauin, Negros Oriental, Mayor Galicano Truita and their helpers were held hostage by their security escort at their home on Saturday, August 27.
Lt Col. Roland Lavisto, public information officer of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NORPPO), said in a statement Sunday, August 28, that the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Venirando Dalope of Pangasinan, surrendered to authorities after hours of negotiations.
He held captive the mayor’s wife, Maria Carmen Truita, and, daughter Jemimie Truita, and their helpers, Liza Tuban and Maricon Abarientos.
The suspect has been working as a security escort for the family for several years, and was suffering from a nervous breakdown prior to the incident, the police said.
It was the mayor who informed town police chief Lt. Victor Bantoto of the hostage situation in his home at Brgy. Masaplod Sur. The local chief executive was said to be in Manila when the incident happened.
During the hostage taking, the suspect was armed with a .45 caliber pistol with one magazine loaded with seven live ammunition and an M-16 rifle with one magazine loaded with 30 live ammunition, the police said.
He hid the high-powered firearm inside the stockroom when he yielded to authorities, while the unlicensed pistol was recovered from his possession during his surrender.
The suspect is now in the custody of Dauin police and will face charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, and violation of Article 267 – Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention under the Revised Penal Code.
The provincial police are providing security to the mayor’s family and the other victims as they were still traumatized after the incident, Lavisto said.
Col. Jonathan Pineda, Negros Oriental police director, is appealing to the public to refrain from sharing unverified reports so as not to cause confusion.
He also lauded the town police chief, Bantoto, for his bravery and persistence in negotiating with the suspect, and ensuring that the victims were unharmed and well-protected.*