Tuburan policemen face probe, expand search for escapees

CEBU, Philippines - Three days after the two detainees escaped from the Tuburan detention cell, Insp. Welther Grapa, the town’s police chief, decided to look for the escapees in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.

This after they received information that drug suspects, Jenard Pacquiao Magpuyo, 25, of Barangay Daan Lungsod, and Danilo Sanchez Navarro, 51, of Barangay 5, have relatives in both cities.

“Akong gipadaganan ngadto bisan og ingnon nato nga naa lang gihapon sila sa among area (Tuburan) pero manigurado lang ta, (I arranged for both areas to be checked. Even if they may still be in Tuburan, it’s better to make sure.)” Grapa told The FREEMAN.

As police continued hunting down the two detainees, the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch started their investigation on the incident.

Seven policemen, who were on duty during the incident, as well as Grapa, were subjected to the investigation conducted by Insp. Julius Ompad, PIDMB chief.

Included in the investigation are PO1 Mat Jullivi Roco; PO2 Jezrel Perigo, jailer-on-duty; PO2 Ariel Maravillas; PO3 Camilo Abaquita; PO3 Junell Ater; PO3 Jeremias Awit, team leader; SPO1 Edsel Condevillamar and Insp. Grapa.

Grapa assured they will continue their search until Magpuyo and Navarro are re-arrested.

“Maningkamot mi kutob sa among mahimo nga madakpan ni sila, (We will do everything we can to re-arrest them.)” he said in a phone interview.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 director Marcelo Garbo Jr. has directed Cebu Provincial Police Office director Patrocinio Comendador to conduct an in-depth investigation to determine if there are lapses committed administratively by the chief of police.

In a separate interview, Comendador said they still have to ascertain the liabilities of those who were on duty at that time including Grapa.

Magpuyo and Navarro bolted the Tuburan stockade Saturday dawn with 13 other detainees by destroying the door of the cell and by bending the iron bars while Perigo was away to cook something to eat.

Police chased those who bolted from the detention cell but Navarro and Magpuyo were missing during a head count. —  (FREEMAN)