PRO-7 helps in hunt for Army fugitives

The Police Regional Office-7 has been ordered to join in the manhunt operations against four junior officers of the Philippine Army who escaped from detention in Fort Bonifacio Tuesday night.

PRO-7 operations chief, Sr/Supt. Carmelo Valmoria said the order came from the Philippine National Police command in Camp Crame to help the military in recapturing the military fugitives.

The four were First Lieutenants Lawrence San Juan, Sonny Sarmiento and Patricio Bumindang, and Capt. Nathaniel Rabonza, who have been detained while under trial for their alleged involvement in the short-lived military mutiny in Oakwood at Makati in 2003.

Valmoria said the PRO-7 is now on red alert status upon orders of the PNP top command, but he denied that the situation was not due to the escape of these military officials, which had renewed rumors of a brewing plot to unseat President Gloria Arroyo via a coup.

There is also the hovering threat of attacks from communist rebels and terrorists groups, which might take advantage of the situation, said Valmoria on the police red alert.

PRO 7 officials have been in constant coordination with local government officials, other law enforcement agencies and the military, said Valmoria.

Valmoria later appealed to the people of Central Visayas to be vigilant of suspicious and unidentified people in their respective places. - Gregg M. Rubio