Cop killer recaptured

An ex-Army sergeant, who escaped from the National Bilibid Prisons (NBP) where he spent 10 years for killing a policeman, was recaptured last Monday in Mandaluyong City.

The suspect, ex-Army Sgt. Benjamin Padilla, will do additional time at the NBP for escaping from the said penitentiary two years ago.

Had he not escaped, Padilla would have been released from prison in November 2005.

Padilla was eating at a fastfood outlet located along Pantaleon street in Barangay Ibaba at about 9:30 p.m. Monday when cornered by a team headed by Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, the Mandaluyong City police chief.

Velasquez said in 1991, Padilla was then detailed at the Army’s 37th Infantry Batallion when he killed a policeman in Tagum, Davao del Norte.

He was arrested and was sentenced to 14 years in prison, Velasquez said.

However, Padilla escaped from the maximum security compound of the NBP last Sept. 3, 2001 after spending 10 years behind bars.

But luck was apparently not on his side as an informant tipped Velasquez of Padilla’s presence in Mandaluyong City.

Velasquez coordinated with NBP officials who sent JO3 Arturo Justo and PG1 Marcelo Abuan for the positive identification of Padilla.

Padilla did not resist arrest. "Napag-initan na rin po kasi ako sa loob ng mga jail guards kaya tumakas na ako," he told Velasquez.

He said he went into hiding at his aunt’s house in Mandaluyong City.

Velasquez is trying to find out whether Padilla had been involved in criminal activities following his admission that he was jobless during his two years in hiding. "Ang problema, paano siya nabubuhay na walang trabaho," said Velasquez, claiming Padilla will be subjected to tactical interrogation.

The Mandaluyong City police turned over Padilla yesterday to NBP authorities.