Information Related to "Held Hostage"
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"Close
your eyes! Nobody moves, screams or looks at us--or I'll blow his head
off!"
My family had barely finished asking the blessing on a Friday evening meal when we were faced with four masked, shabby-looking men brandishing handguns, an M-16 rifle and a dagger: How did these people get in here? What do they want?
"I said shut your eyes!" the leader barked, pointing a revolver straight
at Dad.
Dad glanced at my two little sisters, my mom (almost nine months pregnant), my three brothers and me, and said, "Just bow your heads and pray." My eyelids trembled as I tried to keep them shut. My knees were shaking. I wanted to do something, but if Dad was powerless right now, what could a 13-year old do? I prayed that my 5-year old sister wouldn't open her eyes or cry.
"We need cash, jewelry and guns—and we need them right now!"
We didn't have what they wanted, and Dad told them so. All the money he had was 300 Philippine pesos (about $7.50), which he gave them.
"You liar!" the leader shouted as he spat on the floor. He pressed the knife on my dad's throat and demanded that he tell the truth. While the two men stood by, the other two searched every inch of the house. Finding some drawers locked, they came back furious. I cringed as I heard one of them whack Dad with the butt of his gun.
"Give me the keys! You're making things difficult for us!" With the gun against the back of his head, Dad led the man to his study. The thief grabbed the keys and brought Dad back to his seat.
After more than two hours of vain searching, the men settled for other valuables: VCR, camera, radio, power tools, camping gear, watches —even my brothers' and sisters' savings. They grabbed our suitcases and stuffed them with the loot.
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