Man takes family hostage
AN alleged drug addict believed to be suffering from a nervous breakdown held hostage his mother, wife and two children for three hours before policemen subdued him in Sitio Kaduloy Riverside, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City on Saturday night.
Philip Zafra, Barangay Tisa chairman, identified the suspect as Ellan Sisiban, 35, who told policemen after his arrest that someone was out to kill him.
Zafra said they received the hostage alarm at about 6:30 p.m. and the siege ended past 9 p.m. after negotiations with authorities and a police officer who pretended to be a member of the media.
Probers said Sisiban earlier barged into their neighbor’s house and attempted to take hostage the house owner who was able to escape. Then, he ran into their house and held hostage his mother, wife and two children, tying them together at knife point and turned off the lights.
“He looked like he was high on drugs but had presence of mind,” Zafra said.
The hostage-taker later requested for a media personality during negotiations. Authorities had Chief Insp. Keith Andaya, Tisa police station commander, pretend to be a member of media but Sisiban did not believe him and refused to release his hostages.
Members of the Cebu City Special Weapons and Tactics team entered through the back door and subdued Sisiban who was wearing only a pair of shorts.
Zafra said Sisiban’s mother, wife and two kids who were in a state of shock were brought to a Cebu City Hospital.
No one was reported hurt or injured. Meanwhile, Zafra said he instructed lawmen to review whether Sisiban was on their list of drug surrenderers under the Oplan Tokhang.
Timogen Bayon, alias Black Moley, a high value target, after the operatives seized P259,000 worth of drugs in his house. Tingson said Bayon is a known runner of “Jinky,” who is detained at the Negros Oriental Detention and Rehabilitation Center on drug charges. The Regional Police Intelligence Branch raided the house of suspected pusher, Michael Fabe, in Purok Valtimar, Barangay Taclobo, and seized 21 sachets of shabu, worth P236,000 and two handguns with ammunitions. One of the house renters, Caesar Ian Flores, 35, was also found with a .45 caliber pistol, magazine and ammunition, three packs of shabu worth P177,000, and drug paraphernalia. Senior Insp. Don Richmon Conag, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit head, added that a buy-bust in Sitio Caday- ong, Barangay Calindagan arrested Kiuji Kato, 22, who was carrying 30 grams of shabu worth P354,000.