15 cops axed over escape of Chinese POGO workers

MANILA, Philippines — Fifteen police officers were relieved from their posts yesterday after six Chinese workers for a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) detained on charges of syndicated estafa escaped from their cell at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) headquarters at Camp Karingal on Monday.

Zhang Yi Xin, Ludon Jin Song, Song Qicheng, Lu Yinliang, Huang Yong Quiao and Chen Bin were recaptured by police on Tuesday night.

The suspects were on the loose for nearly 24 hours when they were recaptured near a creek at the corner of Mapagkumbaba and Fulgencio streets in Barangay Krus na Ligas at around 9:30 p.m., according to QCPD director Brig. Gen. Ronnie Montejo.

The escapees came out from a drainage where they were cornered by police.

Montejo sacked the 15 police officers, led by Maj. Adonis Escamillan, who were on duty when the Chinese were discovered missing.

The policemen assigned with the District Mobile Force Battalion were disarmed following a probe conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Montejo said.

Apart from administrative complaint, charges of violating Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code for evasion of prisoners through negligence are being readied against the police officers.

Montejo said the Chinese POGO employees were discovered missing during a routine headcount on Monday night.

“Nagsagawa ng headcount ang duty sentinel sa mga Chinese sa kanilang detention facility at Camp Karingal nang madiskubreng nawawala ang anim na kasama sa 51 na may commitment order na sa kasong syndicated estafa,” Montejo said.

The commitment order was issued by Judge Jesus Mupas of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 122.

A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Chinese likely escaped at the back of the police camp.

“It is impossible for them to escape through the front gate because of the presence of police officers,” the police official said.

The six Chinese were among the 342 foreigners apprehended by the Bureau of Immigration last December in Barangay Bago Bantay for allegedly working in the country without permit and visas.

They were found working for a POGO that was not yet allowed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to operate, according to authorities.