MANILA, Philippines – A man wielding a machete took hostage seven elementary students and their teacher in Camarines Sur.

Romeo Praxidio, 30, of Sitio Pookan, Barangay Macad in Pasacao was arrested after 4 hours of negotiation.

“Ang gusto niya raw makausap si Kapitan Jojo at ang nanay niya tapos yun dinala namin sa kanya wala pa rin nangyari may problema ata yan sa lupa,” said Barangay Captain Emila Oliva.

Residents said the incident happened around 4 p.m. Thursday at the Caranan South Elementary School.

The suspect, who wielded a 17-inch long machete, locked himself and his victims inside one of the school’s classrooms.

“Natakot po talaga kami buti na lang di kami sinaktan nag-pray na lang kami,” said pupil Shaira Celis.

Teacher Cecilia Regnim said the suspect would have taken hostage about 40 students. Luckily, the rest managed to escape.

Praxidio’s wife, Rutchel Miravite, said she was shocked to learn that her husband held the students and the teacher hostage. She said her husband was saddled with problems regarding a land dispute and had even mentioned an alleged threat on his life.

“Namroblema talaga siya kasi nga may nag babanta daw sa kanya,” Miravite said.

The hostage-taker was apologetic when arrested.

“May problema lang ako di ko naman sinasadya,” he said. - report from Karren Canon, ABS-CBN News Bicol