DEPRESSED over his personal problems, a 38-year-old man ran amuck and took a five-year-old boy hostage near a train station in Sta. Mesa, Manila, Monday morning. Six persons were hurt during the incident.
Suspect Dominador Abrillo of Taguig City released his hostage and surrendered peacefully to the police after two hours of negotiation. He later admitted that he took illegal drugs two weeks ago.
Initial report revealed that Abrillo came from Divisioria and had just alighted at Philippine National Railways (PNR) Sta. Mesa Station past 9 a.m. when he suddenly snatched a 9mm firearm of a security guard.
PO1 Christian Castor of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) – Regional Force Mobile Batallion, who happened to be in the area, immediately responded and fired shots at the suspect but missed.
Abrillo fired back while exiting through a gate beside the southbound lane of the railway. About six persons were injured as the suspect went berserk, according to Manila Police District (MPD) chief Vicente Danao Jr.
Not contented, the suspect then took a five-year-old boy from his father in front of a sari-sari store.
“Nagulat na lang ako. Inaangat ko baril niya. Sabi niya ‘wag kang papalag, matutuluyan kayong dalawa. E sabi naman ng mga pulis doon ‘bayaan mo na, kami nang bahala,” said Jimmy Abtaje, father of the victim.
Afterwhich, Abrillo positioned himself under a post a few steps away from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), wrapping his left arm around the neck and pointing the gun at the right face of the victim.
Members of the Manila Police District Special Weapons and Tactics (MPD-SWAT) arrived and convinced the suspect to surrender.
Abrillo was brought to the MPD headquarters for temporary detention.
“[This is a product of] a good negotiating team from our SWAT,” Danao said.
Meanwhile, the victim was sent for medical examination before his parents could file a formal complaint at the MPD Women and Children Protection Section.
“[Possible cases to be filed] are violation of the Republic Act 7610 or the anti-child abuse law; grave threat and physical injury. We will see how severe are the injuries sustained by the boy,” said PO3 Edith Chavez, investigator-on-case.
In an interview following his arrest, Abrillo said that his joblessness, his role in the killing of his wife’s lover in Leyte in 2013, and his two missing siblings were among the things that made him anxious. (Ria Fernandez)
