Baguio jail escapee recaptured in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines- A six-month long manhunt operation for an inmate who bolted out from prison last February finally ended after the escapee was recaptured in his house in Barangay Lamac, Pinamungajan town.

Felix Ponting, an inmate of Camp Gregorio del Pilar in the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, was arrested by Pinamungajan police operatives after he was sighted in his house in Barangay Lamac.

PO3 Darwin Melodia, desk officer of Pinamungajan Police Station, said that Ponting was detained in Baguio for a murder charge.

Melodia disclosed that Ponting bolted out of prison past 8 p.m. on February 6, 2015 and has been the subject of a manhunt operation.

Last April 23, 2015, personnel from the PMA emailed a copy of the report to Pinamungajan police stating the details of Ponting’s escape.

After Pinamungajan Police Station learned that Ponting escaped, they conducted surveillance to locate him in his residence.

Last Friday, a concerned citizen reported to the police station that Ponting has been sighted in his house.

PO3 Delbert Barrera, PO2 Froilan Velasquez, and PO1 Kay Pulmano went to Barangay Lamac, a mountain barangay, to verify the report.

When they arrived at Ponting’s house, they saw him and asked him to surrender peacefully. The police brought him to the police station after he heeded their request.

Ponting allegedly went home because he missed his mother having been away after he was imprisoned.

Pinamungajan Police Station already coordinated with PMA and the Bureau of Correction so that Ponting could be transported immediately back to Baguio.  (FREEMAN)