Fake PAF officer nabbed in slain soldier’s wake

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan , Philippines   â€“ A man who posed as a lieutenant colonel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and arrived in complete gala uniform at the wake of a Marine slain in the ongoing siege in Zamboanga City was arrested on Wednesday for usurpation of authority.

Police nabbed Michael Sajonas, 43, a resident of Barangay Dulag, Binmaley town, who it turned out had several pending arrest warrants for large-scale illegal recruitment, among other charges.

Sajonas went to the wake of Pfc. Jeffrey Castillo in Barangay Maniboc here on Wednesday afternoon and introduced himself as a PAF lieutenant colonel to the group of Maj. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, Marine Corps commandant, who was around at that time.

However, Sajonas acted suspiciously and his gala uniform was observed to be improper, prompting Tanalgo to call for policemen who were at the area. 

Sajonas was brought to the Lingayen police station for investigation and he failed to present any identification card to prove that he is a PAF member.

After his arrest, a background check with the Binmaley police revealed that Sajonas had several arrest warrants from different courts, among them for large-scale illegal recruitment with no bail recommended issued by Judge Manuel Aquino of Regional Trial Court Branch 34 in Balaoan, La Union; two estafa cases in Dagupan City and another in San Fernando, La Union. 

Police have filed a case of usurpation of authority against Sajonas with the provincial prosecutor’s office.

Meanwhile, Castillo was buried here yesterday.