Jobless man fights with ma, holds visitor hostage

MANILA, Philippines - A 43-year-old jobless man allegedly held a visitor hostage after an argument with his mother in Tondo, Manila before noon yesterday.

Residents said Ariel Supangco, holding two knives, reportedly barricaded himself inside his house and prevented family visitor Susan Cruz, 48, from leaving.

The incident started when Supangco’s mother, Rosie, threatened to have her son arrested following a verbal altercation.

Policemen, led by Raxabago police station chief Superintendent Roderick Mariano, arrived to settle the argument. However, Supangco locked the house and warned police not to enter.

Mariano tried to talk Supangco into surrendering, but Supangco insisted that he would rather die than to give up. PO3 Vernie Patdo, who is acquainted with Supangco, was able to persuade him to surrender after two hours of negotiation.

After the hostage-taking incident, Cruz told Mariano that Supangco never threatened her but only used her presence to prevent the police from barging in.

Charges are being prepared against Supangco.     – Nestor Etolle