Cop nabbed for Taiwanese inmate’s escape

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the Manila Police District (MPD) is facing criminal charges for allegedly facilitating the escape of a Taiwanese inmate accused of illegal recruitment over the weekend.

Police Officer 2 Marlon Anonuevo of the MPD general assignment and investigation section (GAIS) was arrested and charged before the Manila prosecutor’s office with infidelity in custody of a prisoner by conniving with or consenting to evasion under Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code.

Investigation showed that Michael Vincent Tan Co, alias Sam Jasper Wang and Bobby Wang, escaped from Anonuevo minutes after they went to an automated teller machine (ATM) booth along United Nations Avenue at around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Anonuevo claimed he was escorting Co, 28, to the Ospital ng Maynila for a medical examination when the suspect jumped from the motorcycle.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana said Anonuevo is being probed for the incident.

Co was arrested in an entrapment operation Friday in a coffee shop at the corner of UN Avenue and Roxas Boulevard.

Two persons from Ilocos Norte complained that Co recruited them to work as factory workers in Taiwan.

Prior to the Taiwanese’s arrest, several complainants trooped to the MPD and filed large-scale estafa, illegal recruitment and human trafficking cases against the suspect.

Police charged Co for concealing his true identity.

Chief Inspector Arsenio Riparip, GAIS chief, said Anonuevo escorted Co outside the MPD without a court order or directive from him.

The Taiwanese was allegedly withdrawing cash from the ATM machine when he disappeared. Police have launched a manhunt for Co.

In a statement given to Senior Police Officer 2 James Poso, Elizabeth Chong, a helper at the MPD, said Anonuevo ordered her to man the office as he and Co were going somewhere.

Anonuevo told The STAR that Co acted strangely on Saturday afternoon so he decided to take him to the hospital.

“But he jumped from the motorcycle and ran away,” Anonuevo said.

Anonuevo called up Riparip and narrated what happened, prompting the latter to place him under arrest.

He failed to explain why Co was not in handcuffs upon leaving the detention cell for the supposed  checkup.