Police chief admits lapses in "escape" of detainee

CEBU ­– A Cebu City police station chief admitted his lapses in handling the recent incident involving the Carbon police force, saying he “just trusted too much” the detainee, who happens to be the son of a mayor in Oriental Negros, and his escort.

Sr. Insp. Pablo Cabildo said he is ready to face investigation that may be ordered by Cebu City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador against him.

Cabildo’s admission stemmed from the case in which a mayor’s son reportedly escaped from prison yesterday. Police apprehended him last Saturday afternoon for damage to properties he allegedly committed inside a hotel located along Borromeo Street.

Edu Villanueva, 24, said to be the son of Mayor Hector Villanueva of Bais City in Oriental Negros, was arrested by elements of the Carbon Police Station following complaint for malicious mischief from the management of La Fortuna Hotel.

According to the complaint filed by the hotel’s owner, Carmen Sy, Villanueva damaged 40 new beds in their storage area amounting to P4,950 each and a sprinkler worth P1,200. Villanueva was arrested by the miscellaneous team of the police station after being confirmed through the surveillance camera of the establishment that he burned some crumpled receipts and placed it below the smoke sensor and sprinkler.

Further, the sprinkler was activated and flooded the whole parking area/storage area located at the second floor. Cabildo presented the blotter of the incident to a group of reporters yesterday who were surprised after seeing that a remark has been written on it that Villanueva has already been released, but there was neither time nor date indicated.

Cabildo said that Villanueva was just eating somewhere near their station around 12 p.m. yesterday and was escorted by PO1 Dequiam Sardoncillo, alert team member of the Bais City Police.

The police official told the media that they released Villanueva from the stockade after the latter complained of its stench. He said that the suspect, who is a college student in Bais City, was a guest of the hotel for a three-day excursion activity here.

However, some prisoners of the police station who refused to give their names told the media that there was no certain Edu or Gido (as marked in the blotter) Villanueva that was detained there since Saturday.

Around 3 p.m. yesterday, Cabildo said through phone interview that Villanueva along with Sardoncillo returned to their office. Villanueva was then put in prison and would be released at 5 p.m. as a “reglamentary period”.

The hotel management is no longer interested to pursue the case after they were paid of the damages. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)