2 lawmen face raps for Korean rape suspect’s escape

MANILA, Philippines - Two police officers are facing charges after a Korean businessman, accused of raping and trying to kill a woman he brought to his hotel room, escaped from a police precinct in Rizal Park Saturday.

Senior Police Officer 1 Felipe Manlutac, 59, and Police Officer 2 Jess delos Santos, 43, are being held for violating Article 224 of the Revised Penal Code (evasion through negligence).

Min Seo, alias Sang Yu, was arrested on May 9 and charged with rape and frustrated homicide. He escaped before 4 a.m. Saturday from the Rizal Park community precinct, which is under the jurisdiction of the Manila Police District Station 5.

According to a witness, Delos Santos allegedly handcuffed Min to a steel ladder outside his detention cell Friday night after the suspect figured in a fight with another detainee.

Min – and the steel ladder – was missing the next day.

Records indicate that Manlutac did not follow proper procedure in turning over the custody of Min to his reliever.

Inspector Rommel Purisima said Min was due to be transferred to the Manila City Jail, based on a May 20 commitment order.