Last of 3 Tondo jail escapees recaptured

The last of three detainees who bolted from the Jose Abad Santos police station in Tondo, Manila last Tuesday was finally recaptured, even as several police officials face administrative and criminal charges for their alleged negligence.

Christopher Carbonnel, who is facing robbery charges, was recaptured somewhere in Tondo last Thursday due to the cooperation of residents, according to Jose Abad Santos police station chief Superintendent Jemar Modequillo.

“Our manhunt was made easier due to the support of the neighborhood,” Modequillo said. The police even went as far as Bulacan in their hunt for Carbonnel, he added.

Carbonnel; Jayson Villanueva, who has a warrant of arrest for murder; and Rommel Fortuno, who is facing robbery charges, escaped from their cell by sawing off its padlock early Tuesday morning. Fortuno and Villanueva were recaptured hours after their escape.

The three detainees escaped when only a duty desk officer was left manning the entire police station, according to reports. Investigations showed the jailer on duty failed to report at the time of the escape. 

Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales tasked the General Assignment Section to determine the security lapses of police personnel in the station.

“They have to face the investigation and suffer the consequences if there are lapses committed, even though all of the escapees were already recaptured,” Rosales told The STAR.

Administrative, or even criminal, charges will be filed against concerned personnel, he added. – Nestor Etolle