5-hour Muntinlupa hostage drama leaves 2 dead

A former seaman killed himself, but not before shooting dead his hostage in Muntinlupa City yesterday.

Roberto Vallerosa, 45, an alleged drug addict, shot himself before responding Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) of the Southern Police District (SPD) came rushing in to end the five-hour hostage-taking incident.

Vallerosa lay dead in the second floor of their house located at 317 Muntillano compound, Mendiola street, Barangay Wawa.

Beside him lay the body of his hostage, Jovie Muntillano, 35, who sustained several gunshot wounds.

Initial reports reaching Superintendent Jose Gentiles, SPD Intelligence chief, showed that Vallerosa entered the house at 12:45 p.m. yesterday using the backdoor.

The wives of Vallerosa and Muntillano are sisters.

Gentiles said Vallerosa, armed with a homemade gun, approached Muntillano, who was preparing a meal in the kitchen. He then poked gun at Muntillano.

The suspect hogtied and dragged him into a room.

Vallerosa blamed Muntillano for convincing relatives to kick him out of the house because of his drug habit.

Gentiles said Vallerosa demanded P50,000 from his in-laws in exchange for releasing his hostage unharmed.

A police negotiator appealed for hours for Vallerosa to release his hostage.

Responding Muntinlupa City policemen and SWAT operatives cordoned off the house as the negotiator tried to secure the release of Muntillano.

A shot rang out at 4:30 p.m., prompting responding policemen to barge into the house. – Non Alquitran