Manila Hostage Drama

MANILA, Philippines--Parents of children who were taken hostage by daycare owner Armando Ducat Jr. in March 2007 welcomed his release on bail as an answer to their prayers.

In their eyes, Ducat, a businessman who took 26 children and three teachers hostage inside a bus near the Manila City Hall in March last year, remains a hero.

Ducat had claimed he was hoping to compel government to provide scholarships to the impoverished kids.

“It was really good news. We’ve been praying for it. Finally Sir Ducat is free,” said Lydia Germones, whose daughter Rizza Mae was among those taken captive by Ducat who, during the 10-hour hostage-taking, ranted sociopolitical grievances while threatening to blow up the bus with grenades.

Ducat and his aide, Caezar Augustus Carbonell, who were both charged with 26 counts of serious illegal detention, walked out of the Manila City Jail after they posted bail on Christmas Eve.

“He (Ducat) doesn’t deserve to suffer in jail. He should be freed because he was only fighting for the poor,” added Germones, who claimed she and her daughter were among Ducat’s frequent visitors in jail.

According to Marie Asuncion, one of the teachers at the Musmos Daycare Center taken hostage by the 57-year-old engineer, they were planning to hold a welcome party for Ducat.

“We just want him to enjoy his time with his family first. But definitely, we’re preparing something grand to welcome him one of these days,” Asuncion told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

She added that residents of Parola Compound, especially his “victims” and their parents were very happy when news spread that the self-appointed champion of the poor had been allowed by the court to go home.

“They were very happy and thankful that Sir Ducat is now a free man. The people, especially the kids, are very excited to see him again,” Asuncion said, adding that the people in the area continued to speak highly of Ducat’s philanthropy, concern for the poor and the desire to rescue them from poverty.

With Ducat’s many projects in the crowded slum area, apart from the daycare center, Asuncion said even if the hostage-taking was a publicity stunt, it was fine with them.