9-year old-girl rescued from hostage-taker

CEBU, Philippines - A nine-year-old girl survived unscathed after she was rescued from a drunken neighbor who held her hostage in Barangay Suba, Cebu City, last Wednesday night.

The suspect, identified as Polinario Nanoy, earlier held the girl hostage for almost half an hour before neighbors were able to overpower him.

Barangay tanod Armando Cabugason told police that around 8 p.m. they received a report from a resident that Nanoy, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol, went wild and was armed with a kitchen knife and a fork.

Barangay officials responded and went to the barangay complex in Sitio Missionaries where the suspect was sighted causing the disturbance.

Nanoy saw the approaching tanods and ran away. He happened to pass by the girl who was playing outside her house and suddenly grabbed her and held her hostage.

Tanods and neighbors, even the girl's parents, tried to negotiate with the suspect to release the girl safely. However, the suspect didn't budge and continued to threaten the girl with the knife and fork.

Around 20 minutes later, the girl's neighbor, Edgardo Tortor, managed to sneak up behind the hostage-taker and struck. Tortor managed to restrain Nanoy as the girl also managed to break free. Other residents then helped Tortor pin down the suspect.

Police then arrived and arrested the hostage-taker.

Tortor was taken to the hospital for a minor injury after he sustained a cut to the right hand when he parried the attacks of the suspect.

The suspect is now detained at the San Nicolas Police Station detention cell and will face charges, said police.   (FREEMAN)