Man arrested for stealing, taking minor hostage

CEBU, Philippines – A man was beaten up by bystanders after he stole a motorcycle from two minors he hit with a stone, and took hostage an 8-year-old girl in an attempt to escape from the police Sunday morning in Barangay Camugao, Pinamungajan town.

PO1 Alberto Bibas, desk officer of Pinamungajan Police Station, said they received a call from Barangay Councilor Teopanes Muñasque asking for police assistance regarding theft and hostage-taking incidents.

The alert team of the station immediately responded to the alarm that resulted to the arrest of Rogelio Largo Librea, 27, of Magdugo, Toledo City.

Bibas said police investigation revealed that Librea flagged down a motorcycle driven by a 14-year-old boy, who had another minor passenger, in Purok Saging, Barangay Camugao.

Librea allegedly tried to take the motorcycle but the driver resisted.

Librea then took a stone and hit the driver’s head and right eye. Librea allegedly also hit the other minor’s right eye before he took the motorcycle and sped off.

However, several meters away, the chain of the motorcycle broke, which forced him to stop.

In a bid to escape, Librea left the motorcycle and went inside the house of Prima Canillo, 71, a widow. Librea grabbed Canillo’s 8-year-old granddaughter and pointed a broken glass at the child.

He reportedly told the widow not to go near him or else he will kill the child.

When Barangay Captain Mario Muñasque learned of the hostage-taking, he went to Canillo’s house with other barangay tanods to check the situation.

After a few minutes of negotiation, the barangay captain convinced the suspect to release the hostage and surrender peacefully.

The 8-year-old had a scratch in her right jaw and shoulder from the glass that the suspect used.

Librea was then being transported to the barangay hall when he jumped out of the mini dump truck along the way. However, bystanders mobbed him to prevent him from escaping.

Librea tried to fight back but was beaten up by the bystanders. Librea suffered several injuries in his body.

He was brought to the barangay hall and was later taken into custody by the police.

Librea will be charged with kidnapping, serious illegal detention and attempted carnapping, said Bibas. —/ATO (FREEMAN)