Another escapee surrenders to Carmen police

CEBU, Philippines - After he was convinced by his family, one of the detainees that escaped from the Carmen Police Station dawn last Sunday has turned himself over back to authorities.

Rannie Manulat, 20, who is facing charges for illegal possession of firearms charges, was accompanied by his parents and sisters in surrendering to the Carmen police yesterday.

However, two more detainees – Marcelino Pisao and Chistopher Berot who are facing robbery charges for allegedly burglarizing public schools in the town – remain at large.

Manulat, Pisao and Berot slipped past security Sunday dawn when the guard on duty was reportedly deep asleep. Two more detainees escaped with them – Jeffrey Jagdon, 20, a locksmith, and a 16-year-old boy who was accused of rape.

Jagdon was arrested evening on the same day in Danao City while the 16-year-old boy surrendered back to the police the next day.

Provincial Police Office Director Jesus Gaquing has ordered the Special Operations Group of the Danao City police and the Special Reaction Unit for a continued manhunt on the remaining two escapees.

Ironically, it was the capture of Pisao and Berot that would have given Carmen policemen SPO1 Simplicio Gibo, SPO1 Gil Jabonara, PO2 Dario Baquio, PO1 Romano Morales and PO1 Celito Suerte a special commendation from the Regional Police Office but the award was later put on hold following the escape.

Instead, the policemen were given 48 hours to explain why they should not be penalized for the incident.

PO1 Celito Suerte, the guard on duty when the escape happened, was subsequently relieved from his post in Carmen and was reassigned to the Pilar Police Station in Camotes.

The detention cell at the police station only had one padlock but Gaquing and PRO7 Director Lani-o Nerez pointed out that no detainee could have escaped if only the policemen were doing their job efficiently. – Christopher Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)