Injured	Killed
2	0

Date: 26 July 2010
Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/197083/american-holds-wife-son-hostage-in-cavite

Authorities arrested a 50-year-old American who held hostage four people including his wife and son in Cavite province Monday night.

Superintendent Pascual Muñoz, chief of the public information office of the Calabarzon Police, identified the hostage-taker as Russel Gorris. His victims were one-month-pregnant wife Junaly Gorris, their one-year-old son, and household helpers Cassandra Plata and Vannesa Tolentino.

A separate GMA Flash Report quoted the helpers as saying that prior to the incident, the couple engaged in a heated argument after Gorris’ scheduled flight was canceled.

The two had also long been fighting over the delay of the husband’s application for residency in the Philippines.

The maids also claimed that the American was under the influence of both illegal drugs and liquor.

Gorris said he was incensed after his wife poured beer over him and even hit him.

The incident happened at the family’s apartment along Sampaguita Street in Camella Homes-Salinas in Bacoor, Cavite, around 9:45 p.m. Monday.

The local police responded to the incident and succeeded in containing the suspect, ending the hostage crisis at about 1:15 a.m. Tuesday.

“The hostages were rescued from the backdoor while the hostage taker was arrested at the 2nd floor bedroom of the apartment,” Muñoz said.

Confiscated from the American was a loaded 45-caliber pistol. Police said Gorris will undergo investigation and would be facing charges of violence against women and children, physical injury, and alarm and scandal. — Mark Merueñas/LBG, GMANews.TV