Man, woman face charges for holding family hostage

CEBU, Philippines — A 36-year-old man ended up in jail after he held his family hostage in Sitio Caduloy in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City Saturday night.

It took about three hours for authorities to negotiate with the suspect, Ellan Sisiban, before they were able to bring the victims to safety.

San Nicolas Police chief Keith Andaya said Sisiban figured in an argument with the owners of house they are renting to the point that he threatened the owners, Luselle and Michael Marzon, that he would stab them.

Sisiban’s wife, Teresita, tried to intervene but this did not sit well with the suspect and Sisiban ended up holding his wife, two children, and mother hostage.

A kitchen knife in hand, he demanded for cigarettes and media coverage.

With the help of Tisa Captain Philip Zafra, the police were able to divert Sisiban’s attention and rescue his family.

Teresita would say later that her husband is a drug addict and he would reportedly go berserk each time he would not be able to take drugs.

Sisiban is facing charges for attempted homicide and malicious mischief.

Case

Meanwhile, in another hostage incident, prosecutors charged a woman in court for allegedly holding her three-year old daughter hostage.

Joechrist Morales, 30, was arrested and is facing child abuse charges, but is allowed to post bail of P80,000.

Morales’ former live-in partner, Dasten Bacho, said he and their daughter went to their store in Calderon Street on November 4, 2018 and he noticed that Morales reportedly behaved oddly.

Morales allegedly kept on destroying their “ukay-ukay” display. Bacho said she told Morales to calm down but the latter allegedly continued to shout.

Because of this, a concerned citizen called a barangay tanod for help but when the tanod arrived, Morales grabbed the child, stole a knife from the store nearby, and pointed it at her.

With the tanod’s help, Bacho was able to take the knife from Morales and save the child. (FREEMAN)