Mutineer escapes from Navy base

A detained member of the Magdalo group was reported missing from a naval facility in Cavite and believed to have escaped on Sunday.

Fireman First Engine Man (Cpl.) Alex del Valle of the Philippine Navy’s Special Warfare Group (SWAG), who was detained along with 93 other enlisted navy personnel for directly taking part in the occupation of Oakwood Hotel last July 27, was found missing by his superiors on Sunday.

Commander Maximo Malabanan, chief of the Navy public information office, said Del Valle’s disappearance was noticed at about 7 a.m. when a headcount was conducted on detained mutineers at Fort San Felipe.

"We have directed our unit and field commanders to track him down and bring him back in detention," he said.

Malabanan also allayed fears that Del Valle may have escaped due to subhuman conditions in the detention cells.

"Actually it’s a barracks complete with bunkers and beddings and comfort rooms," Malabanan said, adding that the place is heavily guarded. — Jaime Laude