Man arrested for taking two children hostage

CEBU - After more than an hour of failed negotiations, policemen yesterday resorted to use tear gas to subdue a hostage taker in barangay Tapilon, Daanbantayan yesterday morning.

Suspect, Edwin Rosell, 33, whom his neighbors believed to be mentally disturbed, did not heed the plea of authorities but instead threatened to kill his hostages if he was forced to surrender.

Daanbantayan police chief Bonifacio Arriesgado said they received a report yesterday morning that Rosell has taken two children hostage in his house.

Arriesgado said Rosell was still outside his house with two knives, but the suspect reportedly immediately went in upon seeing the policemen.

Arriesgado said they tried to convince Rosell to surrender the knives with the help of the barangay tanod but the suspect was reportedly unyielding.

After more than an hour, Arriesgado said they did not have any choice but use a tear gas to subdue Rosell before he could hurt himself and other people.

The two children reportedly escaped the house through a small hole.

At the detention cell, Rosell denied having taken hostage the children but that he only wanted his money back. He, however, refused to tell who got his P800. 

“Wala man ko nang-hostage sir, sa akin lang, ibalik lang nila ang pera ko,” Rosell said.

He later faced an image of Jesus Christ and continued praying, “Lord, balik nyo na ang pera ko.” — Gregg M. Rubio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)