Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Jobless man tries to rob house, takes teacher hostage

BEN SERRANO
Contributing editor

BUTUAN CITY—A suspected robber turned hostage-taker finally released his hostage after more than six hours of drama and negotiations by police authorities.

A report from the Police Regional Office identified the hostage-taker as Jodie Boghan Rulona alias “Dodo,” a jobless resident of Brgy. Mabahin while his hostage was named Marijoy Dalusan Rivera, a day-care teacher.

Police added that the victim was held hostage inside the premises of a certain Alberta Masong after a failed robbery try early dawn last Monday when occupants noticed the attempted entry to the house that triggered an alarm.

Rulona was caught unaware and panicked, grabbed the victim, pointed his paltik pistol and announced he is taking her hostage.

Police probers said Roluna demanded P25,000 ransom for the liberty of his victim but authorities failed to heed his demands.

A Crisis Management Committee organized by Police Superintendent Richard dela Rosa, OIC police provincial director, and Inspector Darwin Yu, Cortes police chief, negotiated for Marijoy’s release.

The hostage drama ended before noon when Roluna peacefully surrendered to policemen. He was then brought to the Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office for custodial investigation while appropriate charges now prepared for filing in court against him.