Tension gripped residents of Barangay Canipaan, Rizal, Palawan on Tuesday morning, September 30, after a man identified only as alias Erol, reportedly under the influence of illegal drugs, held his 64-year-old mother, alias Mina, and his 4-year-old nephew hostage at knifepoint.
Sources said the incident started on the night of September 29 but was only reported to authorities early the next day.
Barangay officials informed authorities that the suspect was allegedly using illegal drugs and dealing with personal problems.
The Rizal Municipal Police Station confirmed they received the report at around 4:30 a.m. Police, led by Captain Nollie Vergara with the 1st Palawan Mobile Force Company, Barangay Council, and Coast Guard, surrounded the suspect’s house.
After hours of tension, reports said alias Erol surrendered. He was taken into custody without anyone being harmed.
His mother and nephew were brought to the Rizal Rural Health Unit for medical check-up before the suspect was turned over to the Rizal Police Station.
Police Colonel Joel Casupanan, meanwhile, lauded the responding officers.
“Dahil sa kanilang bilis at propesyonalismo, nailigtas ang buhay ng dalawa at naiwasan ang posibleng mas malalang pangyayari,” he said.
Alias Erol is now facing criminal charges while police continue their investigation.
