Nuns panic over ‘hostage takers’

MANILA, Philippines - The two bedraggled men limped into the orphanage in Legazpi City lugging a sack of firearms. What were the nuns in charge supposed to do?

They panicked, locked themselves in and called the police, triggering rumors of a hostage incident.

But the “hostage takers” – a soldier and a
militiamen needing shelter and food from Typhoon Glenda – were as surprised as the nuns and also locked themselves in a room when a horde of heavily armed police arrive to “rescue” the nuns and their wards.

On seeing Pfc. Ariel Licayan and Ronel del Castillo, a member of the Civilian Active Auxiliary (CAA), enter the compound of the Good Shepherd Home in Barangay San Roque, Calubaquib carrying a sack with their firearms inside at around 3 p.m., the nuns locked themselves in and called the police.

Text messages about an ongoing “hostage situation” soon made the rounds in the community.

Surprised by the sudden arrival of fully armed policemen, Licayan and Del Castillo panicked and hid in a room in a building next to the one where the nuns had sought refuge.

Superintendent Alex Pederio, Legazpi City police chief, said his men were responding to a call from a certain Sr. Celine Cajanding that the sisters were being held by the two men.

The incident came to a peaceful conclusion two hours later when the policemen brought in somebody who personally knew Licayan to convince him to come out and “surrender.”

Licayan and Del Castillo explained they were not holding anyone hostage but were just seeking shelter and food.

Pederio said the two indeed looked haggard and hungry and even “traumatized,” after walking for hours to Legazpi City from Sitio Inang Maharang, Barangay Nagotpot, Manito town after their outpost was washed away by flashfloods.

He said there was nothing to indicate that the two men had indeed tried to take the nuns hostage. The only case the nuns can lodge against the two – if they decide to file one – is trespassing, Pederio added.