Tokhang surrenderer holds mother, child hostage in Iloilo

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A former Oplan Tokhang surrenderer held his 6-year-old son and 68-year-old mother hostage at their home in Barangay Gemat-y, Passi City, Iloilo, on the morning of Nov. 5.

The suspect, a 34-year-old man known only by the alias Lester, was reportedly armed with two high-powered firearms when he barred his family from leaving the house.

He also asked a drinking companion to stay inside and not leave the premises.

A village official reported the incident to police around 8 a.m., shortly after the hostage situation began.

Colonel Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, personally supervised the negotiations.

The suspect allegedly threatened to kill his son and mother if he saw any uniformed personnel.

His friend, the barangay captain, and his sibling tried to persuade him to surrender.

Even Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares attempted to intervene, but the suspect refused to cooperate.

When police officers joined the negotiation efforts, Lester reportedly became agitated and fired his weapon twice.

While negotiators continued trying to talk him down around 10 a.m., Lester quietly escaped through the back of the house, which borders a creek and forested area.

He left his mother and son physically unharmed.

Authorities later recovered a KG9 assault rifle at the scene.

A hot pursuit operation led to Lester’s arrest at 3:53 p.m. in the nearby barangay of Sarapan, also in Passi City.

When questioned about the second firearm, Lester told police he had hidden it in the bathroom.

Officers confirmed this and retrieved a carbine rifle from the house’s comfort room.

Razalan said the suspect had become upset with a nephew who lived nearby, although the reason behind the conflict remains unclear.

Family members said Lester went on a drinking binge on Tuesday.

He reportedly resumed drinking early Wednesday before deciding to detain his family against their will.

The suspect is on the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council’s (BADAC) list of individuals linked to illegal drugs.

He previously completed a Community-Based Rehabilitation Program.

According to relatives, Lester has been separated from his wife for several years.