5 cops axed over Korean detainee's escape

MANILA, Philippines - Five police officers of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were ordered relieved yesterday after a Korean detainee, arrested for illegal possession of firearms, escaped from their custody on Dec. 27, 2011.

Chief Inspector Ruben Lacuesta, who heads the CIDG’s South Metro Manila field office, and his men – Senior Police Officer 2 Jose Yong, PO3 Joaquin Rafael Florendo, PO3 Noel Bunal and PO2 Percival Villaluz – also face criminal and administrative charges for Kim Sung Kon’s escape.

CIDG chief Director Samuel Pagdilao also ordered that Bunal be charged with infidelity in the custody of a prisoner and graft. Bunal reportedly engaged in a drinking spree with Kim in the CIDG’s field office in Taguig City just before the suspect escaped.

CIDG-National Capital Region (NCR) chief Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel said a civilian employee, Sherlex Sta. Cruz, was also charged with graft in connection with Kim’s escape.

Kim was arrested on Dec. 14, 2011 along Burgos street in Makati City for illegal possession of a .38 caliber pistol. His companion, Kim Won Bin, was also arrested for carrying a plastic bag with 50 .45 caliber bullets.

Coronel said the CIDG, in cooperation with the Korean embassy, had been investigating reports that the two men allegedly kidnapped fellow Koreans in Parañaque City and Cebu City.