Mental illness drives 48-year-old son to hold 86-year-old mother hostage in Iloilo City
ILOILO CITY – A son held his mother hostage in their home on March 15, 2023, in Lapuz, Iloilo.
The La Paz PNP received a call at 10:00 a.m. from a barangay councilor reporting a hostage situation. Responding to the report, the LaPaz police arrived at the scene and later called for backup from the ICPO’s SWAT and the Bureau of Fire Protection. The Iloilo City Emergency Responders also arrived at the scene.
The hostage-taker was identified as Charlie Reyes, a 48-year-old man who used two knives to threaten his 86-year-old mother, Marietta Reyes. He held her inside their home, barricading the entrance and physically harming her.
Two barangay councilors initially attempted to negotiate with the hostage-taker, but they were unsuccessful. Mental health officer Dr. Rebecca Gregorios and several police officials, including Colonel Joeresty Coronica, Major Mark Cordero, and Captain Mary Jane Panes, later joined the negotiation team but also failed to resolve the situation.
At 3:48 p.m. on the same day, the SWAT team breached the house and successfully rescued Marietta and arrested Charlie.
In an interview with Radyo Bistado, Colonel Coronica expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped resolve the situation. He also revealed that Charlie was on medication for a mental illness, and he may have been attempting suicide during the incident.
Jeck Conlu, the head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, was also present at the scene to provide assistance. Conlu revealed that Charlie had a pre-existing mental condition and had asked his mother for money, but she refused, leading to the hostage-taking incident.
Charlie is currently receiving medical treatment at the Western Visayas Medical Center, while Marietta is at the Don Benito Hospital.
