Drug suspects bolt jail in Caloocan

MANILA, Philippines — Three detainees in Caloocan City escaped a precinct’s detention facility last Sunday, causing the relief of the precinct commander and the police officers on duty.

Manuel Chiudan, Vergel Manalo and Raymond Deocareza, who all face violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, escaped through the ceiling of the comfort room during a downpour.

The detainees were able to escape after destroying the corrugated grill at the back of the police community precinct in Barangay 162 on Sunday afternoon.

Caloocan police chief Senior Superintendent Restituto Arcangel ordered the relief of precinct commander Senior Inspector Cecilio Tomas Jr. and the lawmen on duty at the time, Police Officer 2 Malvin Pagente and Police Officer 1 Karl Tapiru, pending the results of an investigation into their criminal and administrative liability.

Pagente and Tapiru, then working as desk officer and jailer at the time, only learned of the detainees’ escape due to shouts from the other inmates. 

Police launched a manhunt to rearrest the detainees.