Another escapee yields in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - An escapee from Leyte  surrendered to the police Saturday morning after more than two months since super typhoon Yolanda struck Eastern Visayas.

Teodoro Datdat, 51, a balot vendor from Pagdao, Tan-awan, Leyte, surrendered at the Liloan Police Station in Barangay Poblacion, Liloan, Cebu.

Datdat was charged for homicide and was among the detainees who escaped from the Kauswagan Palo Provincial Jail.

PO3 Jason Gayo, desk officer, said that Datdat preferred to surrender because he knows sooner or later he will still be arrested by authorities.

"Nakahuna-huna siguro siya nga madakpan gihapon siya, mas maayo nang serbisyuhan na lang niya," Gayo said in a phone interview.

Another escapee who was arrested in Cebu few days after the typhoon hit Leyte last November was Miriam Garcia Desecada who has been jailed since 2010 after being convicted for human trafficking in Tacloban City.

She was spotted by chance by Leyte Provincial Jail Guard Jeizen Rey Udtuhan inside a store in Cebu.

Francisco Regis, of Barangay San Juan, Palo, Leyte, was also arrested in Barangay Kan-umay, Antequerra, Bohol. He was jailed for murder and was detained at the Tacloban City Jail.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has been in coordination with the PRO-6 and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to recapture fugitives who are still at large.

More than 100 inmates escaped from the provincial and the city jail in Leyte during the typhoon.

Tarpaulins and profiles of the escapees have been posted in different police stations and offices region-wide for the public to help authorities in arresting them.

"Naa na tay profile sa mga escapees and we are hoping they will be returned to jail," Supt. Paul Labra II, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division, said.  (FREEMAN)