Injured	Killed
0	0

Date: 20 March 2013
Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/metro/47024-unable-to-pay-daughters-tuition-man-takes-hostage-altar-server

A man who could not pay the tuition fee of his daughter held hostage an altar server inside a church in Quezon City on Wednesday morning.

The suspect, Roel Sabeco, 38, of Atimonan, Quezon, barged into the sound system room of Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao at around 6 a.m. and held an altar server at gunpoint.

Supt. Marcelino Pedrozo, commander of the Cubao Police Station, said a prayer meeting was ongoing inside the chapel that morning.

Praying parishioners were alarmed when they saw the suspect entered the chapel and started poking his gun.

The suspect then grabbed sacristan mayor Cicero Reterta, 42, and dragged him into the radio room. A guard of the chapel followed the suspect.

Pedrozo said the suspect could be mentally unstable.

The sacristan mayor told police that he was told by Sabaco to call the media but failed to say what his demands were.

When he had the chance, Retarte grabbed hold of the gun and a struggle ensued.

Seeing this, the guard helped Retarte in subduing the suspect and the gun was eventually taken from him. The gun was found to be only a toy.

Sabeco said he attacked the altar server since he was suffering from depression. He claimed he had undergone some tests at the Philippine General Hospital, but has yet to consult a psychiatrist to check on his condition.

He said one of the main causes of his depression is his lack of a regular job and his inability to pay for the tuition of his daughter, a second year Nursing student.

Aside from the toy gun, several alleged business cards of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) personnel were retrieved from Sabeco, who claimed to be a PDEA asset.