Military to cite crisis team that ended hostage incident

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday lauded the crisis management team of Del Gallego town in Camarines Sur province for peacefully ending a hostage-taking incident last Friday involving a soldier.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. will hand out plaques of recognition to Col. Amador Tabuga Jr., commander of the 902nd Brigade of the Philippine Army, Del Gallego Mayor Lydia Abarientos and Ragay Mayor Ricardo Aquino on Monday during the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“The crisis management team effectively negotiated and persuaded the hostage taker to surrender, defusing and ending the incident peacefully and without bloodshed,” Catapang said.

On Friday, Cpl. Rene Prajele, wearing full combat gear and armed with an M16 rifle, boarded a Peñafrancia bus on the national highway at Barangay (village) Comadaycaday, Del Gallego, and held hostage some 30 passengers.

Tabuga rushed to the scene to join Abarientos and Aquino in forming a crisis management team.

After about four hours, Prajele surrendered to authorities without harming any hostages.

The AFP said Prajele was charged in Naga City with illegal detention, with bail set at P40,000. The soldier remains in police custody.

Catapang said Prajele’s commander, Lt. Col. Beerjenson Aquino of the 31st Infantry Battalion, has recommended the soldier be evaluated psychologically and medically.

Prajele was reportedly upset over marital problems when he carried out the hostage incident.

The soldier will also face an administrative case under military law,” Catapang said.