By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A seaman was arrested after he held his own mother hostage in Barangay 4, located in Victorias City, Negros Occidental late Friday night.

Police has requested not to identify the suspect, although they confirmed he was 39 years old and a resident of Magsaysay St. in the said barangay.

Victorias City police chief, Police Lt. Colonel Eduardo Corpuz, said at around 6:50 p.m. they received a phone call from the suspect’s neighbor telling them that they heard gunshots inside the suspect’s house.

Police immediately responded to the area and found the suspect under the influence of illegal drugs and holding his own mother hostage with a Remington sniper rifle.

A stand-off occurred between the suspect and police that lasted for several hours until at 11:00 p.m., negotiators found a way to convince the suspect to come out by having his ex-girlfriend contacted him on the phone.

The conversation between the suspect and his ex-girlfriend lasted for at least 30 minutes convincing the latter to come out of the house. As he was peeking at the gate, members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team made the assault, immobilized the suspect, and arrested him on the spot.

Police recovered sniper rifle, 22 .30 caliber bullets, six .22 caliber bullets, one 5.56 caliber ammunition, one sachet of suspected shabu, and six empty sachets with traces of suspected shabu.

In a background investigation carried out by police, they determined that the suspect had arrived last August 26 and was placed on quarantine for two weeks.

During the period he had been having anger outbursts. He had also not been eating or having any sleep for the past few days prior to the hostage taking.

The suspect was also supposed to return back to work next month after he managed to renew his contract with his shipping agency.

The suspect is facing charges for illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms. He is presently detained at the Victorias City Police Station./DGB, WDJ