Man takes wife, daughter hostage

CEBU, Philippines — A 33-year-old man was arrested for allegedly taking his own wife and minor daughter hostage inside their house in Barangay Poblacion, Compostela town, Cebu, yesterday morning.

The Compostela Municipal Police Station identified the suspect as Joshua Limates Canlas, a resident of the said place.

At around 8:40 A.M., the police received a phone call from a concerned citizen asking for police assistance regarding a distressed man, who had locked himself in a room with his 29-year-old wife, named Roxanne Calledo, and their seven-year-old daughter as his hostages.

Responding to the alarm, the operatives personally saw how Canlas forcibly detained and threatened to kill his family with a long fishing spear. They also confirmed the seriousness of the threats since the suspect initially refused to release the victims.

Police negotiated following standard crisis protocols while assessing the danger posed by the suspect who continued to threaten the lives of the victims.

As the situation escalated, police conducted a controlled entry into the room, and subdued and arrested the suspect.

The mother and her daughter were safely brought out and were given immediate assistance. No injuries to the victims or the responding policemen were reported.

Police investigation revealed that prior to the incident, there had been an altercation between Canlas and Calledo due to jealousy and financial strain.

It was also found out that the two had been repeatedly heatedly arguing in recent days, which escalated after Canlas lost money in online gambling. The money was supposed to be used to repair their house that was damaged after the recent typhoon.

The suspect is currently being held at the Compostela Police custodial facility, pending the filing of appropriate charges against him.

According to Police Master Sergeant Daryl Rondina, investigator of the case, Canlas will face two charges; for violation of Republic Act 7610 for serious illegal detention, and Republic Act 9262 for abuse against women and children, which was filed by the Women and Children Protection Desk of the municipal police. — (FREEMAN)