Carmen police in hot water for escape of five detainees

CEBU, Philippines - Personnel of the Carmen Police Station are facing investigation after five inmates escaped from its detention cell dawn last Sunday.

SPO1 Simplicio Gibo, SPO1 Gil Jabonara, PO2 Dario Baquio, PO1 Romano Morales and PO1 Celito Suerte were supposed to receive an award from the Regional Police Office 7 for helping capture robbery groups in their area of jurisdiction but the recent incident has put the award on hold.

A 16-year-old inmate who is facing rape charges voluntarily surrendered while an alleged robber, Jeffrey Jagdon, who allegedly led the escape, was accosted by operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch while on board a tricycle in Danao City about 7pm on the same day.

The other suspects, Marcelito Pisao, Christopher Berot, and Raymond Sanico, all charged for burglary and theft, remain at large.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Jesus Gaquing expressed disappointment over the incident and directed Insp. Ruben Cuizon of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch to conduct a separate investigation.

As a punishment, Gaquing transferred Suerte to the Pilar Police Station in Camotes Island pending investigation. Suerte was the jail guard on duty when the escape occurred.

Gaquing also instructed Insp. Carlos Reyes, Jr., chief of Carmen police, to direct the five other policemen to explain their side within 24 hours. The five were reportedly manning their posts at the town proper where an activity for the town fiesta was ongoing at that time.

Gaquing said he received a report that the guard on duty was allegedly asleep, thus, did not notice the inmates escape.

Gaquing said that because of his accomplishments in curbing robbery in Carmen, Reyes will be spared from the one strike policy of the PNP. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)