Masbate hostage-taking drama ends; 12 released

SORSOGON CITY—A hostage-taking drama inside a house in Dimasalang town in Masbate ended after six hours on Saturday, with policemen and a priest successfully negotiating for the release of 12 family members and the surrender of the armed suspect.

Angelito Alpabete, 34, barged into the house of Juan Belarmino in Barangay (village) General Aliño with a .45 cal. pistol at 2:20 p.m. and held the 12 people as hostages, said Supt. Jeffrey Fernandez, deputy director of the provincial police.

He was desperate to have his family brought back to Masbate from Sibuyan Island in Romblon, Fernandez said.

As police led by Insp. Carlos Estonilo surrounded the place, negotiations were carried out by Supt. Rogelio Beraquit, head of the Masbate Provincial Public Safety Company, Insp. Chester Pomar, Estonilo and Palanas parish priest Edgar Mamforte.

The hostages were freed in three batches until 8:10 p.m., at which time Alpabete gave up, Fernandez said. Nobody was hurt. Jonas Cabiles Soltes, Inquirer Southern Luzon