Police shoot man who held girl hostage in Daanbantayan

CEBU, Philippines - A man believed to have been suffering from nervous breakdown yesterday held hostage an 11-year old girl in Barangay Bateria, Daanbantayan.

The police were forced to shoot Cesar Dignos after he started hurting the victim with his bolo. It took more than three hours of negotiation before the police decided to shoot Dignos.

Dignos was hit in the chin when PO3 Israelito Aballe shot him using an M-16 Armalite rifle. Dignos was rushed to Daanbantayan District Hospital but was later transferred to Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

The victim who suffered superficial cuts in his right shoulder, chest and left ring finger was also taken to the district hospital.

The girl is living with his grandmother, Irene Cañete, 69, as his father is working abroad as a seaman.

According to Cañete, her granddaughter was playing volleyball with her relatives at 9:00 a.m. yesterday when Dignos suddenly dragged the girl into his hut.

Dignos threatened to kill the girl with his bolo if anyone comes near. Policemen and barangay officials tried to negotiate with the suspect but the latter did not show any sign of giving up prompting the police to shoot him.

"Wa namo makombinsi kay patyon lagi gyud kuno niya ang bata (we failed to convince him because he really wanted to kill the girl)," PO3 Alfredo Mandal said.

It took a while before the police found the opportunity to shoot the suspect because of fear that they might hit the victim.

"Pagkakita lang namo og gintang gamay amo dayong gipusil unya gilayog nako kay ang bata akong gidepensahan. (When we had the opportunity we immediately shoot and wrestled him to protect the girl)," Mandal said.

The police will have Dignos tested for possible drug use. He will be charged for violation of the RA 7610 or Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.

The police are also coordinating with the Municipal Social Welfare Office for the victim's stress debriefing. —FPL (FREEMAN)