Man takes 5 kids, nanny hostage

MANILA, Philippines - A man reported to be high on drugs entered a house in Barangay Pinagsama, Taguig City and took a nanny and her five wards hostage yesterday afternoon.

Rael Aquino, 27, reported to be a taho vendor and a resident of Barangay Upper Bicutan, broke into the house of Bon Tuvillo at past 1 p.m., according to Senior Inspector Schadimier Sajili, commander of the Police Community Precinct 2. Aquino headed to the kitchen and grabbed two kitchen knives, which he used to herd the 30-year-old nanny and her wards, ages two, 11, 13, 15 and 18.

“The suspect seemed to be high on drugs as he was shouting that someone was out to kill him,” Sajili said.

Police officers said Aquino, a native of Camarines Sur, has no relatives in Metro Manila.

The suspect did not make any demands but talked to Tuvillo, the children’s father, who tried but failed to convince Aquino to surrender.

Gas leak

A Special Weapons and Tactics team from the Taguig police and the Southern Police District stormed the house at past 4 p.m. after Aquino deliberately released liquefied petroleum gas from the tank in the kitchen, Sajili said.

“We had to take action. It appeared that he was going to burn the house down,” he said.

Sajili said the suspect was arrested without shots being fired. He was later taken into custody and will face a charge of serious illegal detention.

The hostages were rushed to the Taguig-Pateros District Hospital for medical examination, Sajili said.