Police file illegal detention, firearms charges vs Ducat

Manila police on Friday filed charges of serious illegal detention, illegal possession of firearms and explosives against Armando “Jun" Ducat Jr., who held hostage 26 schoolchildren and four teachers in Manila on Wednesday. The Manila Police District also slapped Ducat with violation of the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections in connection with the May 14 polls. The charges were filed despite the refusal of parents of the hostaged schoolchildren of Musmos Daycare Center to initiate the filing of charges against the Ducat and his accomplice, Cesar Carbonell. The two hostage-takers are detained at the Manila Integrated Jail on the second floor of the Manila Police District headquarters. The hostage drama ended without bloodshed after Ducat and Carbonell released the kindergarten pupils and their teachers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 hours after they were seized. Ducat’s counsels have asked Manila Assistant Prosecutor Noami Balitaan to give them 15 days within which to submit their counter-affidavit, and for him to undergo a preliminary investigation to determine probable cause against him. In an interview with reporters, Ducat admitted that he would have had second thoughts on the hostage-taking had he known that the serious illegal detention offense is a non-bailable offense. However, he did not categorically say that he regretted his acts. "If I had known this case was non-bailable, maybe I perhaps I would’ve thought long and hard about doing it," Ducat said in Filipino, noting that he was able to post bail after he held hostage two priests in Manila in 1989. Ducat also denied being a "terrorist." "I’m not a terrorist. The corrupt government officials and politicians are the ones who are worse than terrorists," he said. He added that he did not taint the country’s image after the image gained worldwide attention. “I didn’t destroy the image of the Philippines, it’s already ruined. The things I’ve said, like corruption, I got it from the newspapers too," Ducat said. Ducat further said the hostage-taking was not a political stunt meant to benefit personalities such as administration senatorial bet Luis "Chavit" Singson, to whom he had turned over the grenades after the hostaged children were released. "I don't know Chavit Singson. No corruption, no Chavit Singson," he said. “Bong (Revilla) is my compadre and close friend and (there's) nothing political between me and Senator Bong. I have no plan to enter politics, I’m already rich.Wala ako balak pumasok sa pulitika at mayaman ako," he said. When he took the children and teachers hostage, Ducat had demanded to talk to Revilla, who promptly went to the scene. The senator later figured prominently in negotiations with the hostage-taker. -GMANews.TV