Toddler rescued from hostage taker

Police rescued a one-year-old boy from a drug-crazed man armed with a handgun during a hostage drama Thursday night in Valenzuela City.

Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Urena, Valenzuela City police chief, said victim Jose Fulay was unharmed after the police subdued the suspect identified as Manalo Domingo.

At about 6 p.m., Domingo, 50, of Lazaro Street, Joaquin Domingo Compound, Dalandanan, Valenzuela City, barged into the home of Milagros Fulay, the grandmother of the child. He then grabbed the young Fulay, intending to use him as a shield against pursuing lawmen.

Urena said prior to the hostage taking, Domingo was involved in a shooting incident in Bangkal Extension, Meycauayan, Bulacan near the boundary of Valenzuela City.

The suspect escaped toward Road 3 in Sitio Lingahan and tried to hide inside the Fulays’ home. Armed with a caliber .38 revolver, Domingo, who was still high on drugs, demanded to speak to Ritchie Quadra, a former city councilor.

Police, however, failed to find Quadra. Domingo then threatened to shoot the boy if his demand is not met.

Urena advised the boy’s grandmother to continue talking with the suspect, as his men, with the assistance of the Bulacan police, started to enter the victims’ house through the back window.

When policemen saw an opportunity, they pounced on the suspect and grabbed the boy. Police seized Domingo’s revolver, which was loaded with two bullets. – Pete Laude, Jerry Botial