Man takes three children hostage

CEBU, Philippines - A 40-year-old man took three children hostage in sitio Calipayan, barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday afternoon in a bid to pressure a woman who owes his relatives some money to come up with the payment.

Dionilo Salvador, a lender from Mindanao, surrendered to the police after he was assured that no case would be filed against him if the children were released unharmed.

Mimi Arcawayan, the mother of the children, owes Salvador's relatives P30,000 and has failed to settle her debts since November.

The loan has bloated to P115,000 on account of the 20 interest.

As alleged, Arcawayan failed to pay her loan because people who owe her money have not paid her yet.

Salvador said Arcawayan also owes a lending firm in Cebu City P15,000. He said he signed as a guarantor for Arcawayan in that loan.

"Naburyong na siya (Salvador). Iya ning pa-produce sa P115,000 before 5:00 o'clock. Ang mga bata nagpangidaron og 3, 5 ug 10, iyang gibugkos ang tulo unya nagkupot og kutsilyo," Lapu-Lapu City police director Mariano Natuel Jr. said.

Natuel said assures Salvador that no cases will be filed against him if he will release the three children unharmed.

Natuel said the police will not file but if the relatives or the mother of the victims will not file a case.

Salvador and the children were taken to the Children's and Women Desk of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.  - THE FREEMAN