10-hour hostage drama ends in bloodshed

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MANILA, Philippines – A ten-hour hostage drama which unfolded in the city of San Juan ended in bloodshed yesterday, as a security guard shot his captive dead before turning the gun on himself.

Police identified the hostage-taker as Charlimaine Aton, 35, a security guard. His victim, taken hostage late Monday night, was named as lawyer Solomon Condonuevo, 67.

The killing took place at approximately 7:35 a.

m. of Tuesday morning.

Aton took Condonuevo hostage in a building along N.

Domingo Avenue in Balonbato District in San Juan City at around 9 p.m. Monday.

Police reported that a relative seemed able to coax Aton to release Condonuevo and surrender, but that the security guard suddenly shot the lawyer in the head after seeing several people around the building.

Aton then turned the gun on himself as a team of policemen entered the building.

Senior Inspector Melchor Rosales, San Juan City police’s deputy chief, said it was difficult to negotiate with Aton, and pointed out that Aton even demanded a meeting with US President Barack Obama and President Benigno Aquino III.