CAMP VICENTE LIM, Canlubang, Laguna -- Police killed a 62-year-old man who ran amok, killed his neighbor, and took his own family as hostages on Thursday,
Feb. 17, in Barangay Resplandor, San Pascual, Batangas.
Brig. Gen. Antonio Yarra, Police Regional Office 4 (PRO4A), identified the suspect as Simeon Rosales, a resident of Brgy. Resplandor in San Pascual town.
The slain victim was identified as Mario Baculi, a tricycle driver, and a neighbor of the suspect in the village.
The incident happened at around 11:45 a.m. when the suspect approached and shot Baculi who was sitting at a waiting shed in Brgy. Gelerang Kawayan, San Pascual, Batangas.
Baculi was brought to Bauan General Hospital in Bauan but was pronounced dead on arrival.
After killing Baculi, the suspect fled on board his vehicle with plate number JSP 818 towards Brgy. Resplandor.
A hot pursuit operation ensued which led the policemen to Rosales' house.
A composite team of SWAT, Provincial Mobile Force Company and Provincial Intelligence Branch, backed up by the town police, tried to negotiate with the suspect who holed himself up in his house and held his family members hostage.
Rosales, using a long firearm, opened fire at the police and at the patrol car parked in front of his house.
In the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was hit and killed. His family members were rescued.
Recovered at the crime scene were five fired cartridges of a caliber .45.