Cop who shot, killed de Lima hostage taker is new SPD chief

Police Brigadier General Mark Pespes on Friday took over as the new chief of the Southern Police District (SPD), replacing Police Brigadier General Roderick Mariano.

“Sa ating mga kasama (To our colleagues), men and women of SPD, we will be working together. Our goal is to keep a peaceful environment, a safe place to live and do business,” he said in his speech during the turnover ceremony at the SPD Grandstand in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The ceremony was presided over by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Pespes was the police officer who shot and killed a detainee who took former Senator Leila de Lima hostage inside the PNP Custodial Center in October 2022.

Last year, the Philippine National Police conferred the then Headquarters Support Service Director Pespes with the Medalya ng Kadakilaan for his heroism in neutralizing the hostage-taker.

Three persons under police custody—Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao Jr.—attempted to escape the detention facility at Camp Crame by stabbing a police officer serving their food.

Cabintoy and Susukan were shot dead by a police officer while Sulayao was able to run and take de Lima hostage.

Sulayao initially demanded a helicopter, a Hummer, and a media presence in his bid to escape.

But while the captor was asking for water, Pespes said he saw the chance to neutralize him. — DVM, GMA Integrated News