SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A three-year-old boy and his one-year-old sister and their two maids were rescued yesterday from their hostage-taker in an almost 8-hour negotiation with local officials and police authorities, in Barangay Santo Rosario here.
SPO4 Rodrigo M. Aquino, the grandfather of the victims, tried to negotiate with the hostage-taker but failed to secure his grandchildren from the suspect, which led to a heart attack resulting in his death during the hostage drama in his own house.
Initial investigation said the suspect, Rodolfo Ronquillo, alias "Boyong Jueteng" of Barangay Bongabong Nueva Ecija reportedly went off the house of the Aquinos at 8 a.m, and held hostage Aquino’s grandchildren for 8 hours.
The hostage drama ended at 5:40 p.m. when the city mayor and wife of the suspect arrived at the scene to negotiate with Pampanga Gov. Marco Lapid who led the negotiation.
The suspect is now in the city jail, facing charges against him.
Chief Supt. Vidal Querol, Central Luzon police director, lauded the negotiating team, led by Supt. Nicanor Targa, Supt. Abner Dimaruyo, Chief Inspector Ferdinand Detran and Sr. Inspector Ferdinand Germino.
