AWOL COP TAKES 6-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER, IN-LAWS HOSTAGE

A ROOKIE police officer who was dismissed from the service after he went absent without official leave (AWOL)  on Thursday took his six-month-old daughter and two others hostage in Bgy. San Roque,  Cabiao, Nueva Ecija.

Cabiao police chief Maj. Shariel C. Paulino identified the suspect as former Patrolman Vincent Jordan Santos, 27, of Bgy. Luyos, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.

Santos was formerly assigned at the Malolos City, Bulacan Police Station.

The suspect, who was drunk, allegedly went berserk and held at gunpoint his baby daughter, his 52-year-old mother-in-law, and 11-year-old sister-in-law hostage in the victims’ house at Purok 7 in Bgy. San Roque.

An investigation showed the ex-cop got mad when his live-in partner decided to end their relationship and refused to give him another chance.

The hostage drama started at 1 a.m. on Thursday and lasted for almost four hours.

Paulino, who was the ground commander during the negotiations, said the cop-suspect finally surrendered to him, along with the cal..9mm government-issued firearm containing 10 live bullets.

Charges for violation of Article 267 (Serious Illegal Detention), Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), and Republic Act 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) were filed against the suspect.