Daring jail raid aftermath: Parañaque warden sacked

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Director Aquilino Jacob relieved yesterday the jail warden of Parañaque City and his deputy for the escape of two detainees last Wednesday morning.

Special Order No. 2000-112 issued last Wednesday, relieved Senior Inspector Allan Iral and Inspector Jose Gemelo Taol, after unidentified armed men stormed the jail to free a detainee.

Jacob was irked by the laxity of the Parañaque jail officials which resulted in the escape of Artemio Malinao and Ronilo Erdaje.

Reports indicated that both inmates escaped as their cells were left open when guards engaged the invaders in a gunfight and prevented the escape of the detainee being sprung out by cohorts.

Two women who were with the detainees at the time were held by the police for questioning for possible involvement in the jailbreak.

Questions were raised as to why and how the two women were with the inmates even after visitation hours.

Cousins Eden Bukadkad and Imelda Caaya told Parañaque police investigators they were allowed to stay overnight after paying "visiting fees" of P250 each.

"We had nothing to do with the escape; if we had, we should have ran away instead of taking cover during the firefight," Bukadkad explained in Tagalog, denying they were involved in the escape.

They also said that the P250 fee gives a visitor unrestricted access to the jail premises from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., although visiting hours are only from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Jail guards earn at least P1,500 everyday as they allow four to six visitors, mostly women in conjugal visits, to sleep overnight on a daily basis," Bukadkad said.

It was also learned that inmates can rent a cubicle inside the jail for P450 a month for some private time with visitors.

The gunfight resulted in the wounding of two jail guards; Jail Officer 1 Alex Grande in the left leg and JO1 Joemarie Paguntalan in the right thigh.

The police arrested one of the raiders, Jason Villacorta, hours after the incident, at the South Super Highway Medical Center while he was awaiting treatment for a gunshot wound in the abdomen.

"We are confident of the early recovery of the escapees because of Villacorta who will be subjected to tactical interrogation," said Inspector Carolina Borrinaga, public information chief of the BJMP.

Jacob designated Senior Inspector Delvic Oriero as the new jail warden and Inspector Guy Jason Reyes as his deputy.

Iral was axed after spending only five months as jail warden.