12 held hostage in Masbate town

MASBATE CITY, Philippines  â€“ Armed with a .45-caliber pistol, a man believed to be high on illegal drugs took 12 people hostage in Dimasalang, Masbate last Saturday afternoon.

Police said Angelito Alpabete, 34, barged into the house of one Juan Belarmino in Barangay Gialod and held 12 people there, seven of them minors, hostage.

Police negotiators heaved a sigh of relief when Alpabete freed one of the hostages at 5:15 p.m. Saturday, and then another four at 7:45 p.m. The remaining seven were released at 8:10 p.m., after which Alpabete gave himself up.

Police said Alpabete had become desperate as he wanted his family to return to Masbate from Sibuyan Island.