Oton cop faces charges over detainee escape

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office 6 confirmed that criminal and administrative charges would be filed against the police officer who escorted a detainee who escaped and was later recaptured in Oton, Iloilo.

The officer holds the rank of police chief master sergeant.

The incident also prompted moves to administratively relieve Oton Municipal Police Station chief Police Lt. Col. Arnel Solis.

Police Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Western Visayas police chief, said decisions on the relief and reassignment of the officers would be left to Police Col. Bayani Razalan, Iloilo Police Provincial Office director.

The IPPO was preparing a criminal complaint against the police chief master sergeant for alleged violation of Article 224 of the Revised Penal Code.

Article 224 covers evasion through negligence and applies when a prisoner escapes because of the negligence of the public officer responsible for the prisoner’s conveyance or custody.

Razalan said he would first consult Oton Mayor Sofronio Fusin Jr. about Solis’ administrative relief.

The IPPO earlier said three Oton police officers, including the police chief master sergeant, were placed under investigation following the escape of a person under police custody.

A police staff sergeant and a patrolman were also investigated.

Although the police chief master sergeant appeared to have been directly responsible for the detainee, the other officers were investigated because they were present when the escape occurred.

The detainee, identified only as alias Ron, is a 29-year-old resident of Barangay Bulad, Guimbal.

Ron is a respondent in a complaint alleging a violation of Republic Act No. 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.

The law expanded the definition of rape and reclassified it as a crime against persons under the Revised Penal Code.

The three officers escorted two detainees to the Oton Rural Health Unit for medical examinations on July 15.

They arrived at the medical facility at about 9:43 a.m.

While waiting for the medical results, Ron asked the police chief master sergeant for permission to use the restroom to defecate.

The detainee was reportedly handcuffed when he was allowed to enter the restroom.

At 10:41 a.m., the officer heard a loud noise coming from inside the restroom.

He tried to open the door but found it locked.

The officer rushed to the rear of the restroom and discovered that Ron had escaped through a window.

At 10:45 a.m., the officer informed Solis that the detainee had escaped from his custody.

Solis ordered an intensive hot pursuit operation to locate the escapee.

While police conducted follow-up operations near Oton Central Elementary School, residents reported seeing a handcuffed man who matched the escapee’s description.

Police believed Ron had taken refuge in a bushy and swampy area nearby.

Ron eventually emerged from the swamp.

Police rearrested him at 2:40 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion East, Oton.

Following the incident, the three officers and Solis submitted written explanations.

Razalan initially said the police chief master sergeant appeared to have been responsible for Ron when he escaped.

One of the other officers was guarding the second detainee.

The patrolman had driven the police vehicle but was ordered to return to the station to respond to a vehicular incident.