Cop faces criminal raps

Criminal complaints have been filed against a policeman in Lapu-Lapu City for the escape of a detainee from his custody while being escorted to court last June 9.

PO2 Cirilo Lagumbay, a jailer of the Lapu-Lapu City Police was charged with a case of evasion through negligence or violation of Article 224 of the Revised Penal Code.

Last Thursday, Lapu-lapu City Police Office director PSR/Supt. Mariano Natuel ordered the detention of Lagumbay.

However, last Friday Lagumbay was ordered out of detention and is now under camp restriction while being investigated by the Investigation and Detection Management Bureau (IDMB).

Lagumbay said he is willing to face whatever charges will be filed against him.

The policeman said that before the incident, he filed for an optional retirement after 22 years of service in the PNP.

Last June 9, Miguel Dayon Manlapas asked for permission from Lagumbay to go to the comfort room. After relieving himself, Lagumbay handcuffed him again and told him to sit in the waiting lounge of RTC branch 54,while waiting for his commitment order for the city jail.

However, aside from Manlapas, Lagumbay was also attending to a woman detainee who was also supposed to post bail at the Municipal Court in Cities (MTCC).

Both RTC Branch 54 and MTCC offices are facing one another however nobody was able to notice that Manlapas had escaped and left his yellow t-shirt at the elevator, which was marked “detainee.”  

Natuel said a manhunt is being conducted. The police believe that Manlapas has not left Cebu yet. Manlapas hails from Zamboanga del Sur. (FREEMAN NEWS)