Two policemen, one of whom was wounded during a hostage taking incident in Antipolo City on Tuesday, March 7, will be recognized by the city government for their bravery. Antipolo City Chief of Police, Lt. Col. June Paolo Abrazado told the Manila Bulletin that City Mayor Casimiro “Junjun" Ynares III will commend Patrolman Christian De Vera and Patrolman Jalbert Laureta, both of the Antipolo Police Station, for their bravery in saving a woman and a girl during a hostage-taking incident on March 7. Abrazado said the hostage-taking happened at the victims’ residence in Sitio Kaysakat 3 in Barangay San Jose where the woman and the girl were held hostage by Severino Ramos, Jr. As Pat. Laureta was trying to negotiate with the suspect for the release of the two hostage victims, Pat. De Vera saw an opportunity to grab the hostage taker who was then reportedly holding a sickle. But the suspect did not let go of his bladed weapon and instead hacked the policeman on his leg. Although wounded, De Vera, with the help of Laureta, managed to subdue the suspect giving the chance for the two victims to escape. Abrazado said the two policemen later discovered the cadaver of Benjamin Balajadia sprawled in the kitchen and lying on a pool of blood. Recovered at the crime scene were the sickle, a jungle bolo, and a caliber .22 loaded pistol. Probers said the suspect had been harboring an old grudge against the victims. Investigators on case, Staff Sergeant Rolando Arthur Velicaria II and Master Sergeant Leo Balonsong were preparing to file charges of murder, direct assault, and violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), against the suspect who is now detained at the Antipolo Police Station’s custodial facility.