Police to file charges against hostage taker

CEBU, Philippines - The sailor who held hostage a fellow crewmember Sunday morning while their ship was docked at the Cabahug shipyard in barangay Opao, Mandaue City will be charged with concealing a deadly weapon.

Gary Pevidal, 30, who worked as a warehouseman of MV Jasper is currently detained at the Opao police station pending the filing of charges.

Homicide chief P/Insp. Ramil Morpos of the Mandaue City Police Office said “slight illegal detention” charges may also be filed against him.

But the person who he held hostage for about three hours is hesitant to file charges againt him.

 Pevidal, armed with an 18-inch bolo, held hostage 54-year-old Mauricio Amorte, the vessel’s cook. 

Pevidal was drunk at the time.

Ship captain Archangel Macaraig said Pevidal and some colleagues had already been drinking since the ship was in Antique province yet on their way to Cebu City.

Colleagues also said Pevidal could have been suffering from depression due to family problems.