CAMP OLIVAS--- A father, believed to be mentally ill, hostage Thursday his own children and threatened to kill them if his kids will be separated from him.
Police said it took them 24 hours to free the hostages, which was kept since 2 p.m.
Senior Superintendent Gil Lebin Jr., Pampanga Police provincial director, identified the suspect as Cipriano Timario, 47, a native of Bohol.
Timario, armed with a bladed weapon, a bolo, threatened to kill his children identified as Maribel Bayron, 4, and Jambi, 7.
Lebin said that the suspect had no other demand except that they be left alone in his nipa house.
He said that San Simon Police Chief Inspector Danilo Gallano, together with officials of Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) and Mayor Rodrigo Canlas tried to negotiate with the suspect.
However, they failed to convince Timario to release the hostages, Lebin said.
At about 5:45 p.m., the wife of the suspect identified as Dina, 46, managed to enter the house and embraced her husband, police said.
Lebin said the police have destroyed the house wall and rescued the two children, and arrested the suspect. (Ric Sapnu)