Cop charged for escape of 2 car theft suspects

MANILA, Philippines - A police officer was charged before the Caloocan City prosecutor’s office over the escape of two car theft suspects from a police station on July 19, city police chief Senior Superintendent Rimas Calixto said.

Police Officer 1 Regie Nueva España was charged with evasion through negligence following the escape of Donald John Torribio and Berlin del Rosario from the Barugo police station by sawing off the window grills at the far end of their detention cell, Calixto said in a report submitted to the Northern Police District.

Calixto said the inquest prosecutor recommended the case for further investigation and set the preliminary inquiry tomorrow. A separate administrative charge against Nueva España was also referred to the Caloocan City police pre-charge evaluation unit.

The escape of Torribio and Del Rosario was discovered by Nueva España when he conducted an inspection around 3 a.m. on July 19. Calixto earlier said that the suspects may have escaped during a heavy downpour at past midnight that day.

The two were last seen during an earlier inspection past 11 p.m. on July 18.

The suspects, who were the only detainees at the time of their escape, allegedly used a hacksaw blade to cut the iron grills of the jail. It was discovered inside the jail along with four iron bars during the course of the investigation.

Calixto said they are investigating how the suspects were able to get a hacksaw into the detention facility. They remain at large.

Nueva España has been relieved from his position pending the outcome of the cases filed against him.