Old woman held hostage by own son

CEBU, Philippines - A 49-year-old son held hostage his 82-year-old mother inside their house in Purok Papaya, Sitio Paz, Barangay Catarman, Liloan early morning yesterday.

Police said this was not the first time Segundino Trasmonte held hostage his mother, Desideria Trasmonte, inside their house but what triggered their neighbors to call the police was when Segundino threatened to kill his mother.

The incident lasted for six hours before Segundino voluntarily submitted himself to the police shortly before midday.

Chief Insp. Richard Oliver, Liloan police chief, told The FREEMAN that the incident happened about 5:00 in the morning but they received a telephone call informing them of what happened at around 8:00 a.m.

When the police arrived, Segundino was already armed with a scythe and a spear.

The doors of the house were also locked while a sofa bed, table and chairs were placed behind it.

It was only through living room’s jalousies where the police could see Desideria from the outside.

“Gipalingkod ra man siya (mother) sa sulod unya sige og siyagit ang anak nga patyon niya kung kinsa’y moduol, (The mother was just seated in their living room while her son was shouting that he will kill whoever will come near them.) ” Oliver said.  (FREEMAN)