Wanted man killed after trying to take hostage 3 women in QC

MANILA, Philippines—A man wanted for murder tried to escape from policemen who were chasing him by barging into a house and holding hostage a pregnant woman and two more people.

His plan, however, was foiled and in the end, Dennis Estrada was killed when he tried to shoot it out with his pursuers.

Chief Inspector Roberto Razon of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 6 said the hostage-taking took place on Saturday evening in Quezon City.

Cornered by lawmen

Estrada, who was wanted for killing Edgar Bernardo on May 13, was spotted the following day by policemen on Kaunlaran Street in Barangay (village) Commonwealth.

Instead of giving himself up, Estrada barged inside the house of Glenda Nuevo who was four months pregnant.

At that time, Nuevo was watching television with her six-year-old daughter and sister.

A commotion ensued but the victims were able to break free from Estrada.

They escaped from their home by getting out through one of the windows and then seeking shelter in their neighbor’s house.

With his hostages gone, Estrada opened fire at the policemen who were chasing him.

Razon said that with the murder suspect showing no signs of surrendering, his men had no choice.

“A policeman had a clear shot at the suspect and returned fire,” he said.

Estrada died after he was hit in the head and chest.

The police recovered from him a loaded Colt .45 handgun and a 12-inch-long fan knife.

Case officer Police Officer 2 Vicben Padua said that on May 13, Estrada shot Bernardo in the neck as the latter was about to enter his house on Bulova Street in Commonwealth, Quezon City.

According to Padua, Estrada was with three other men at the time of the killing. They were identified by their aliases as Jeffrey, Ronnie and Tayman.

One of the three was later arrested by a separate group of police operatives. Abdul Ampaso was taken to the QCPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office for questioning.

2 cohorts still at large

The two other men, however, remain at large.

Meanwhile, Bernardo’s brother positively identified Estrada as the man who killed his brother.

The police said that aside from the killing of Bernardo, Estrada and his cohorts were believed to be also responsible for the series of taxi robberies in the Commonwealth area.—With Sara Pacia, trainee