Man takes in-laws hostage

CEBU, Philippines - A 32-year-old man was arrested after he held his parents-in-law hostage at gunpoint in their house at corner Colon and Panganiban Streets, Cebu City past 6 p.m. yesterday.

Junnie Largo was crying when he was arrested by elements of the Carbon Police Station who were able to subdue him last night after he took Elina, 57 and Marcelito Matus, 62, hostage.

Senior Police Officer 1 Artemio Tumakay III, said it all started when they received a call from a concerned citizen about an armed person. He said they immediately went to the place and saw Largo pointing a gun at his parents-in-law.

He said that the suspect was caught off-guard because he was facing away from the door. Tumakay and the other policemen grabbed him, pushed him to the floor and grappled with him for the gun.

The .38 cal. revolver taken from his was loaded with six rounds. He was brought to the Carbon Police station and detained at the stockade.

Tumakay said that before the hostage taking incident the suspect and his wife were quarrelling over personal issues. Several minutes later he took his gun and told everybody in the house not to go out or else they would be shot.

Marcelino, who has difficulty walking, and his wife were left behind while three other people escaped through the backdoor.

Police said if it had not been for the concerned citizen the hostage taking might have taken longer to resolve.  (FREEMAN)