Saturday, August 16, 2008 Farmer arrested for holding driver hostage
A 53-year-old farmer, who is reportedly suffering from a nervous breakdown, was arrested by the police after holding hostage a trisikad driver beside the Sangguniang Bayan Building in Barangay Baliwagan, Balamban, Cebu at dawn yesterday.
P03 John Jess Montealto shot Esmeraldo Apas after the latter refused to let go of trisikad driver Oldarico Caro, 48. Instead of letting Caro go, Apas reportedly attempted to stab him.
Balamban policemen rushed to the area after receiving a call for assistance at 5:50 a.m.
The negotiation for Apas to surrender lasted about 20 to 30 minutes before the police shot him in the left arm.
Police investigation said the incident happened after Apas went inside a store and took a kitchen knife.
Apas grabbed Caro and pointed the knife at him. Caro was sleeping in his trisikad that time.
Surrender
Chief Insp. Resty Santos, chief of the Balamban Police Station, proceeded to the area with his men and asked Apas to surrender.
But Apas attempted to stab Caro, prompting PO3 John Jess Montealto to fire a warning shot. Apas ignored the warning.
Montealto, who was armed with an M16 rifle, shot Apas in his left arm. Apas dropped the knife, giving police the chance to subdue him.
Apas was taken to Balamban District Hospital.
Investigation showed that last Thursday night, Apas went to the police station and filed a report that somebody wanted to kill him.
Police learned from Apas’ relatives that he had suffered a nervous breakdown and had been drinking for the past days. He reportedly also had problems getting enough sleep. (JST with DRT of Sun.Star Superbalita)
