4 lawmen caught ‘escorting’convict’s wife in Bilibid

MANILA, Philippines - Four police officers from the Manila Police District (MPD) were arrested in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Sunday for reportedly “escorting” the wife of a “big-time” inmate at the state penitentiary.

Inspector Elgie dela Cruz Jacobe, Police Officer 2 Lester Ramos, and PO1s Cris Miguel and Albert Labarda have yet to be charged. They were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office in the Southern Police District headquarters.

Also arrested were three civilians identified as Silvestre Espino Obregon Jr., John Ricky Bolintian, and Mikko Buensisla.

NBP superintendent Robert Rabo said members of the NBP’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team spotted the seven men roaming in the prison parking area, apparently waiting for a woman who visited a convict in the maximum security compound.

A source told The STAR that the woman is reportedly Benedicto Veedor’s wife.

When the SWAT team approached the men, they boarded a car and sped away. However, prison guards intercepted them at the gate, Rabo said.

“The group claims they were policemen but could not produce any mission order and they have not coordinated their movement inside the NBP compound,” he said.

Four 9mm pistols and a .45 caliber pistol, three magazines with 21 bullets, and two vehicles – a blue Toyota Corolla with plate number TEC-606 and a gray Toyota Light Ace with plate number RDB-887 – were confiscated from the seven men.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Asuncion said the policemen, who belong to Stations 4 and 2, went to the NBP without the knowledge of their superiors.

He also said Jacobe, Labarda and Ramos of Station 4 were also on duty at that time they left for Muntinlupa.

Bureau of Corrections director Franklin Bucayo said the arrest the armed men is result of the tight security being implemented to prevent contraband from getting into the prison.

He said additional barriers were set up in key areas of NBP to prevent suspicious vehicles from getting into the facility.