Ex-Iraq hostage also running

MEXICO, Pampanga – Former overseas Filipino worker Angelo de la Cruz, whose hostage saga in Iraq in 2004 hogged the headlines, is now running for councilor in this town.

"I am now being offered an opportunity to manifest my gratitude to local folk who supported me when I was held hostage by Iraqi rebels," De la Cruz, 46, told The STAR in an interview yesterday at his home in Benjamin Subdivision in Barangay Tangle here.

He said former mayor Ernesto Punzalan, who is challenging incumbent Teddy Tumang of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), had invited him months ago to run for councilor under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party.

De la Cruz arrived last March 4 from Las Vegas where he attended a cousin’s wedding. His travel was paid for by his aunt, who owns two restaurants in Vegas.

"I returned to the Philippines only last Sunday despite objections from my aunt who suggested that I stay in Las Vegas and work in one of her restaurants. But I had decided long ago to accept the offer of Mayor Punzalan," he said.

He said his wife, Zeny, was at first angry about his decision to come home. "But now she understands and supports me. She also thinks we should return the favor we owe our town mates," he said.

"So many of my town mates prayed for me and they warmly welcomed me after I returned home. It’s time to give back to them what I can," he added.

De la Cruz, however, said he doesn’t believe that poor people like him who want to serve others should be barred from politics.

Should he and Punzalan win the elections, he said he would be assigned to head the committees on overseas Filipino workers and livelihood projects.

"I have established some connections after I arrived from Iraq, and I can put this into good use for soliciting funds for local projects," he said.

De la Cruz was kidnapped by Iraqi rebels in July 2004 and was even threatened with beheading in exchange for the freedom of jailed rebels in their country. He was, however, set free after 18 days and returned home to a hero’s welcome in the Philippines.

Upon his return, he worked as a driver of a fuel company at the Clark Freeport, but resigned after nine months after some rift with management, who had accused him of arrogance. He now farms a one-hectare property he inherited from his parents in Barangay Buenavista here.

De la Cruz said that his now seven-year-old son Jeric, who has a blind left eye, still wears the same artificial eye donated at the height of his celebrity after his return from Iraq. His family also still lives in the house donated by the developers of Benjamin Subdivision.

Yesterday, he and his family celebrated the graduation of daughter Jacklyn from college. He expressed thanks to Sen. Jamby Madrigal who gave the scholarship to Jacklyn.