Police awardee held hostage

MANILA, Philippines - Elements of the Taguig police yesterday trooped to an apartelle in Taguig City after receiving information that a former policeman is being held hostage by at least six suspects.

The report that reached the police said a group of disgruntled ex-policemen held hostage Police Officer 2 Jamaron Sandag, a former member of the PNP’s Aviation Security Group who is a Medal of Valor awardee.

Around six to eight suspects are reportedly tightly guarding Sandag inside one of the rooms of the Taguig Plaza Apartelle located along Sampaguita Street in Barangay Western Bicutan.

The hostage-taking reportedly started early morning yesterday but the police only learned of it later in the day after the victim’s nephew, who was also held hostage, escaped. The nephew was not identified.

The police said it was Sandag’s wife Niña who provided them information that her husband has been taken hostage by a group of policemen. The latter alleged that the suspects could be envious of her husband’s achievements.

 Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit immediately cordoned off the area.

The local police led by Senior Superintendent Camilo Cascolan and Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Jaime Calungsud were around to personally check on the situation.

Superintendent Eleazar Matta of the SPD Public Information Office said the SWAT started checking the rooms of the eight-story apartelle and found that several of the rooms have already been vacated.

As of press time, members of the SWAT are still verifying the report.

Not the first time

The hostage taking in Taguig City yesterday afternoon was not the first time for Sandag to be featured in the media.

The STAR first interviewed Sandag on Jan. 29, 2007 shortly after he received the Philippine National Police (PNP) Medal of Valor from President Arroyo during the PNP’s 16th anniversary at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Sandag earned the prestigious award after he fought it out with at least 100 members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf who attacked a municipal hall and police station of Siocon in 2003.

During the interview with The STAR, Sandag appeared nervous and shy as he bit his lower lip before and after he answered questions on how he managed to fight and eventually defeated the rebels.

Sandag was the first trooper of the Special Action Force (SAF) to receive the PNP Medal of Valor.

“The exceptional heroism of Sandag is a reflection of his deed of self-sacrifice and exceptional courage which are worthy of emulation by his fellow policemen and truly a pride of the Philippine National Police,” read the message on the plaque of Sandag.   – With Christina Mendez