Hostage-taker could be released if…

Police are still waiting for the result of the psychiatric examination of the man who held hostage a seven-year-old girl in barangay Apas, Cebu City to determine what charges will be filed against him.

Paul “Jun-Jun” Guigue will be released if proven that he is mentally unstable, said Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

But if the test shows that Guigue is mentally fit, child abuse and serious illegal detention charges will be filed against him, Buenafe said.

Under the law, a mentally deranged person cannot be held criminally responsible for his acts.

During the hostage-taking, Guigue claimed he used the child as shield since someone was out to kill him.

He also demanded P500 so he could return to his hometown in Bohol.

According to the girl’s aunt, the victim was playing outside her home past 9 p.m. last Wednesday when the suspect grabbed and took her to his home as a hostage.

Buenafe entered the suspect’s home and negotiated with him for the girl’s release.

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

The suspect finally 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./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON