Neighbor holds girl hostage for fare money

A seven-year-old girl was rescued by police from her neighbor suspected of being mentally ill in sitio CRCI, barangay Apas in Cebu City at 9:35 a.m yesterday.

The victim’s aunt said the girl was playing outside her home when the suspect grabbed and took her to his home as a hostage. The suspect was identified as Paul “Junjun” Guigue.

“The suspect was saying that someone followed him. He just grabbed the child in one hand and on his other hand was a scissors,” the victim’s aunt said.

The hostage-taking caused traffic congestion in the area.

It was past 10 a.m when Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe entered the suspect’s home and negotiated with him for the girl’s release.

The city police chief asked local media to stay away as he went to Guigue’s home.

“I told him to look me straight in the eyes when I’m talking so he won’t be distracted and I can gain his trust,” Buenafe said.

Guigue first demanded P500 for his fare to Panglao, Bohol where he came from.

Eventually he relented and turned over his scissors and ice pick to Buenafe, who then grabbed the child and collared him.

Junjun was later brought to Buenafe’s office where he was given a cup of coffee, some bread and bottled water. The victim was immediately brought home.

SPO1 Ruth Violango of the Homicide Section said an oxygen tank was attached to the girl who experienced difficulty in breathing.

“I was scared that I nearly got stabbed,” she told local media. Junjun admitted to using drugs before.

He said someone whom he had a fight with is allegedly following him and wants to hurt him and his family.

“I heard people talking that someone will kill me and my family. I just want to protect myself so I took the child with me,” Jun-Jun said in Cebuano.

The victim’s father, a security guard, said he rushed home after hearing about the hostage-taking.

He said his daughter, a Grade 2 pupil, had no class and was left home with one of her sisters.

“I ran all the way from work because I can’t get through due to heavy traffic,” he sobbed.

He said he recognized Jun-Jun as the son of one of their neighbors who hails from Bohol.

Buenafe said the suspect may undergo psychological examination before charges will be filed against him.

“He would often talk to himself, it appears he lives in a world of his own,” a neighbor who introduced herself only as Emma said.

Junjun apologized to the police for what happened.

Social worker Sheeba Dabon said the child and her parents would also undergo stress debriefing as a result of the incident.

A seven-year-old girl was rescued by police from her neighbor suspected of being mentally ill in sitio CRCI, barangay Apas in Cebu City at 9:35 a.m yesterday.

The victim’s aunt said the girl was playing outside her home when the suspect grabbed and took her to his home as a hostage. The suspect was identified as Paul “Junjun” Guigue.

“The suspect was saying that someone followed him. He just grabbed the child in one hand and on his other hand was a scissors,” the victim’s aunt said.

The hostage-taking caused traffic congestion in the area.

It was past 10 a.m when Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe entered the suspect’s home and negotiated with him for the girl’s release.

The city police chief asked local media to stay away as he went to Guigue’s home.

“I told him to look me straight in the eyes when I’m talking so he won’t be distracted and I can gain his trust,” Buenafe said.

Guigue first demanded P500 for his fare to Panglao, Bohol where he came from.

Eventually he relented and turned over his scissors and ice pick to Buenafe, who then grabbed the child and collared him.

Junjun was later brought to Buenafe’s office where he was given a cup of coffee, some bread and bottled water. The victim was immediately brought home.

SPO1 Ruth Violango of the Homicide Section said an oxygen tank was attached to the girl who experienced difficulty in breathing.

“I was scared that I nearly got stabbed,” she told local media. Junjun admitted to using drugs before.

He said someone whom he had a fight with is allegedly following him and wants to hurt him and his family.

“I heard people talking that someone will kill me and my family. I just want to protect myself so I took the child with me,” Jun-Jun said in Cebuano.

The victim’s father, a security guard, said he rushed home after hearing about the hostage-taking.

He said his daughter, a Grade 2 pupil, had no class and was left home with one of her sisters.

“I ran all the way from work because I can’t get through due to heavy traffic,” he sobbed.

He said he recognized Jun-Jun as the son of one of their neighbors who hails from Bohol.

Buenafe said the suspect may undergo psychological examination before charges will be filed against him.

“He would often talk to himself, it appears he lives in a world of his own,” a neighbor who introduced herself only as Emma said.

Junjun apologized to the police for what happened.

Social worker Sheeba Dabon said the child and her parents would also undergo stress debriefing as a result of the incident.