2 dead in mall hostage drama

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – Two persons were killed while three others were wounded in a two-hour hostage drama that occurred at a mall in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, yesterday afternoon.

One of the fatalities was the alleged hostage-taker, identified as Carlos Lacdao, 32, of Dulag, Leyte.

Lacdao was shot dead by responding police officers as he was still holding at knifepoint one of the hostages identified as Mylene Balajadia.

Robert Rosales, 48, who was stabbed by the suspect, died while being treated at Asian Medical Hospital in Barangay Pala-Pala.

Taken to the same hospital for treatment of stab wounds were restroom attendants Jollabelle Sumalin, 31; Rodel Lozano, 31, and Michelle May Honor, 20.

Lacdao managed to sneak a knife into the SM Dasmariñas at about 12:45 p.m. and went to one of the comfort rooms located at the ground floor, according to Superintendent Janet Arinabo, spokesperson for the Cavite police.

In a statement, the SM management said: “The incident started as a domestic problem that was brought to the mall. The local police and our security worked together to manage the situation. All tenant personnel and customers are all safe and away from the area.”

Police Officer 1 Angeline Cruzada said the suspect was allegedly looking for his wife Erna, who works as a restroom attendant, and her supposed lover.

Failing to find his wife, the suspect allegedly went amuck and stabbed Rosales, Sumalin, Lozano and Honor. Seven more persons were trapped in the female’s comfort room.

Responding police officers picked up Lacdao’s two daughters from their house and showed them to their father in a bid to pacify the suspect.

However, they prevented the suspect from going near his daughters. Lacdao was furious and threatened to stab Balajadia, prompting the officers to shoot him.