Couple, 13 guards arrested for taking over compound

MANILA, Philippines – A couple and 13 security guards were arrested Friday afternoon for allegedly taking over a commercial compound in Dagat-Dagatan, Caloocan City and holding 16 employees of another firm at gunpoint.

The Northern Police District arrested Alexander and Elizabeth Catolos and Milgos Security Agency Inc. guards Danilo Baluyot, Jojo Zeque, Rodel Artesano, German Garcia, Edmar Arroyo, Samuel Dalalo, Edmundo Navarro, Eliezar Palacio, Rene Macahilo, Duane Wright Colasing, Roger Arillo, Mohammad Ghazzali Potawan and Michael Salimpade.

The police also seized seven 12-gauge shotguns from the guards. 

The Catoloses, both officials of a company in the compound, ordered the guards to secure the area Thursday night and use their guns to prevent 16 employees of another firm from entering or leaving the compound.

Police said the takeover stemmed from a business conflict.

One of the employees, Jae-Ar Cunanan, escaped and brought with him businessman Benjamin Sy, who was also prevented from leaving the compound. They went to the police to report the incident.

Police officers rescued the 15 employees at around 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Investigators are preparing to charge the Catolos couple and the guards with serious illegal detention, grave coercion and violation of the firearms and ammunition regulation law.