Manila cop hacked to death in Sta. Cruz

MANILA, Philippines -  A Manila policeman was hacked to death Tuesday night while reportedly on an anti-terrorism mission in Sta. Cruz district.

Police Officer 3 Luis Sagum, 53, detailed at the Manila City Hall, was reportedly tasked by his commander, Chief Inspector Mar Reyes, to verify information that a group of armed Muslim terrorists is planning to bomb an LRT station in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

Together with another policeman, Sagum conducted interviews with Muslim vendors along Rizal Avenue near the LRT Carriedo station. It was at this juncture when a certain Nashrodin Taratingan led Sagum into an alley where he was supposed to reveal a vital information. Moments later, another Muslim vendor armed with jungle bolo appeared from behind and hacked the policeman. Sagum tried to parry the blows with both arms. The suspect, who also hacked Nashrodin while trying to stop him, casually left the place leaving behind the bolo.

Sagum and Nashrodin were rushed to the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center where the cop died while being treated for multiple hack wounds in the head and neck. Several fingers of the victim were also cut when he tried to parry the blows.

Nashrodin reportedly insisted on leaving the hospital after receiving first aid treatment for his wounds. Police later traced him in a seedy motel in Sta. Cruz with his wife.

Police identified the suspect as a certain “Alexis,” a vendor from Baclaran. Investigators are still determining the motive for the attack, even as Nashrodin was placed in police custody for interrogation.

Police are also looking into reports that Sagum was engaged in a money lending business with Muslim vendors in Sta. Cruz.