NBP escapee sighted in Isabela

ILAGAN CITY, Philippines – The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) inmate who was reported missing on Wednesday, the same day convicted murderer Rolito Go surfaced after disappearing overnight, was reportedly spotted in one of Isabela’s interior towns.

Rommel Laciste, convicted in 2008 for the rape-slay of a female probation officer here, was reported to have sought refuge in his hometown of San Mariano, a former logging area on the foothills of the Sierra Madre.

An uncle, who asked not to be identified, said his nephew has been sighted in his native Barangay Santa Filomena Thursday, and neighbors were thinking that he had already been released from prison.

He also sought the help of the media for his nephew’s recapture, fearing that he would again terrorize the neighborhood with his past record of robbery, homicide and rape cases, mostly unreported.

Isabela police director Senior Superintendent Franklin Mabanag said they are now verifying reports of Laciste’s presence there.

According to the source, the escapee could have moved to another kin’s house somewhere in Cauayan City, also in Isabela.

Laciste was at the NBP maximum-security facility serving a life sentence for masterminding the kidnap-slay of Concepcion Lumanglas, then assistant provincial parole and probation officer, in September 2006.

It was reported that he had whacked to death the driver of a tricycle he had rented as getaway from Santiago City, Isabela.

There were reports that he escaped the provincial jail, was recaptured, and eventually moved to the NBP.