CEBU CITY, Philippines - Because of hunger, a log cutter held hostage a mother and her two children aged 17 and 8 for about seven hours in Pinamungajan town, western Cebu on Saturday.
Police Officer 2 Romeo Jaranillo of the Pinamungajan police said Danilo Maguilimutan, 33, drank liquor without eating his dinner.
“Napasmohan siguro kay wa man mokaon unya nakainom. Nagmahay bitaw kuno siya sa iyang gihimo,†Jaranillo said.
Maguilimutan allegedly entered the house of the Buro family about 1:30 a.m. and pointed a knife at Natividad and her son Joseph, 17, and daughter Jecelle, 8. Natividad’s husband was at work.
Natividad said she pleaded with Maguilimutan not to harm them.
The suspect was trembling and claimed he was being hunted by two big men who wanted to kill him.
The mother tried to grab the knife but was overpowered. She suffered a cut in the left arm.
About 8 a.m., Maguilimutan went outside Buro’s house, bringing with him Jecelle and headed towards his house in the next barangay (village).
Natividad and her son immediately sought the assistance of the police.
Senior Police Officer 2 Allan Tundag, who led the responding team, negotiated with Maguilimutan, who eventually released the girl.
The police then arrested Maguilimutan.
Neighbors described Maguilimutan as a good person, industrious and did not have any record of creating trouble.
Natividad said she was willing to forgive the suspect but her relatives wanted to pursue filing charges against Maguilimutan.
Charges to be filed against the suspect include child abuse, grave threats and slight physical injuries.
The child abuse case will be handled by the women's and children's desk of the Pinamungajan police in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
According to police, Maguilimutan was quiet inside the detention cell.
“Nagutman lang gyud siguro ni. There were reports that he was into shabu but these were never confirmed,†police said.
Cebu Daily News
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