Albay town‘s cops in hot water over reb’s escape

LEGAZPI CITY — The regional police command has ordered an investigation into the escape of a New People’s Army (NPA) guerrilla while detained at the police station of Oas town Saturday morning, a day after he was captured in an encounter.

Chief Superintendent Barbo Boco, Bicol police director, directed Roque Ramirez, Albay police chief, to look into the circumstances behind the escape of Jimmy Biralde, 47, who was captured during an encounter between 20 rebels and men of the Army’s 65th Infantry Battalion.

Two guerrillas and a soldier, identified as Pfc. Isagani Balictar, were killed in the 20-minute clash.

Reports said Biralde was allowed to sleep with his wife, Bernardita, at the reception area of the Oas police office. Biralde escaped through the wooden window.

Boco said the entire Oas police force led by Chief Inspector Ricardo Nocos would be subjected to polygraph tests.

Reports said Biralde returned to his house in Barangay Del Rosario, about 11 kilometers away from the Oas town proper, and even bragged about his escape and taunted the authorities to get him.

"He (Biralde) even told the Army soldiers that he could post bail for his release," said Col. Manuel Orduña.

He said Biralde is a trusted collector of "revolutionary taxes" of Iglecerio Pernia, commander of the NPA Guerrilla Front 77, in the towns of Guinobatan, Oas, Libon, Polangui, Pio Duran, and Jovellar and Ligao City.

Orduña said the NPA collects about P650,000 a month from local officials and businessmen.