Poro cops in hot water for escape of detainee

CEBU, Philippines - Just a day after the Cebu Provincial Police Office reminded the police stations to be more responsible in handling prisoners, a detainee of Poro Police Station in Camotes Island escape detention last Monday morning.

Investigation is now being conducted against SPO1 Rene Donaire and PO1 Bengi Garcia for the escape of Edgar Galindo, 20, who just allegedly asked permission to go to the comfort room but never returned.

Galindo, together with two minors, were arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

At around 7 a.m. last Monday, Donaire and Garcia, who were assigned to escort the three suspects, brought the latter to Danao City Prosecutors Office for the filing of charges before Prosecutor Lilia Sistoso.

But when they were allegedly about to go back to Poro, the boat that they were suppose to board had already departed which made them to transfer to another boat. However, the coastguard did not allow the boat to sail because Typhoon Urduja was coming.

Because of this, the police officers decided to sleep with the prisoners. The next day, around 9 a.m., when they were about to take their breakfast, Galindo allegedly asked the police officers if they could allow him to go to the comfort room to answer the call of nature.

However, after several minutes the police officers noticed that Galindo did not come out of the comfort room prompting them to check. When they opened the door, they were shocked when they found out that the suspect was already missing and only the handcuff was recovered.

CPPO director Jesus Gaquing said the two police officers were immediately relieved from their assignment and will surely face administrative and criminal cases.

He said Poro police chief Sr. Insp. Emiliano Igot will be temporarily out as chief of police as he will undergo schooling.

Sr. Insp. Alvin Balio of Catmon police will take over Igot’s post while Insp. Lio Ty will replace Balio in Catmon. – Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)