BACOLOD CITY – A 60-year-old farmer held his 51-year-old live-in partner hostage at gunpoint after she refused to sign documents for a land transfer in Barangay Prosperidad, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Saturday night, June 15.
Police Lt. Col. Nazer Canja, San Carlos police chief, said the victim was safely rescued from the suspect who held her hostage at their residence after six hours of negotiations.
Canja said the couple’s four children helped authorities pacify the suspect who was angry and frustrated over the matter.
He said police exercised maximum tolerance amid the lengthy negotiation to end the standoff.
Police were able to enter the couple’s house and rescued the victim when the suspect calmed down.
Canja said the victim was unharmed but no weapon was recovered from the house or the suspect.
He said that that the couple had an agreement about a piece of land but he has no additional details about this.
Canja said they will check if the couple had previous arguments triggered by other reasons.
He said they will check the background of the suspect to find out previous complaints against him.
Police are awaiting the decision of the victim if she will file a case against the suspect who is now under police custody.