Unable to pay child’s tuition, man takes hostage, is arrested

MANILA, Philippines — A man who allegedly had difficulty paying his child’s tuition took hostage a sacristan inside a church in Quezon City early Wednesday before he was subdued and arrested by police.

In a report, Quezon City Police District station 10 identified the suspect as Roel Sabacho, 38, who took hostage Cicero Ratarta, 42, inside the Immaculate Concepcion Parish along Cubao around 6 a.m.

Police said Sabacho was armed with a gun, but authorities later found out that the firearm he used was a replica.

A radio report said that Sabacho had difficulty paying his child’s tuition at the Southern Luzon State University in Lucban, Quezon.

It also said that a P14,738.18 receipt from the university was recovered from the suspect.

Earlier this week, Kristel Tejada, a freshman from the University of the Philippines Manila, committed suicide allegedly because she was unable to pay her tuition after her request for a loan from the university was rejected.

Tejada’s death sparked public furor, causing UP Manila to suspend its tuition payment policy for students in need.