German holds warden hostage

CEBU, Philippines - A German national inmate of the Talisay City Jail allegedly managed to hold in hostage the facility's warden in Maghaway, Talisay City, Cebu yesterday morning.

Jail Warden Gil Inopia said they managed to restrain suspect Thomas Michael Ruhland, who reportedly demanded from them a firearm and ammunition, shortly after what he did.

Ruhland, 39, was arrested and detained in the jail since Feb. 21, 2011 for human trafficking and child abuse cases.

As per investigation by the Talisay City Police, Ruhland, escorted by Senior Jail Officers 1 Joven Dalman and Rey Larida, went to Inopia's office past 11 a.m. upon the suspect's request.

The police said the foreigner wanted to personally request the jail warden to have him taken to the dental clinic, as he was allegedly suffering from a dental problem for two months already.

After bringing Ruhland inside Inopia's office, Larida and Dalman remained at the door while the German spoke with the jail warden.

Reportedly, Ruhland suddenly pointed an improvised knife at Inopia and then handed to him a piece of paper, which instructed Inopia to give him a pistol and two magazines loaded with bullets.

"Unya kay wala man ko'y dalang armas ato, and wala man sad koy plano gyud na tagaan siya, so ako siya gipakita sa handcuff; niana ko na kani na lang. Nitando ra sad siya and nangita sa yawe. Wala man ang yawi so ako siya gi-ask unsaon ang posas," narrated Inopia.

At this point, the German reportedly appeared confused, which gave Inopia and the two jail guards the chance to overpower and pin him down.

Dalman was injured in his finger in the process and was treated at the Talisay District Hospital.

The suspect yielded a nail file, tin can cover, nail cutter, and a can opener.

Ruhland is now temporarily placed in the jail informatory to prevent him from being hurt by other prisoners, who were reportedly irked over what he did.

The German Consulate, after being informed of the incident, visited Ruhland yesterday.

Inopia told The FREEMAN that he has previously learned about Ruhland's dental problem, which was actually a broken false teeth, and that he already spoke with the foreigner about it.

"I advised him na iyang live-in-partner na lang makigkita sa dentist and ang akong matabang is ang court order lang," said Inopia.

He said he has scheduled the matter with their dentist, Dr. Felipe Montejo, warden of the Bogo City Jail.

However, since super typhoon Yolanda wrecked havoc in Bogo City and the rest of Northern Cebu last Nov. 8, Dr. Montejo has not yet come  to the Talisay City Jail, Inopia said.

He said he was reminded about Ruhland's dental problem last Tuesday by the German's friends, who regularly visit the suspect in the jail facility.

Inopia said he would refer the matter to the city prosecutor on the possibility of filing a criminal complaint against Ruhland over what he did.— /RHM (FREEMAN)