Three Oton cops probed over detainee escape

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three members of the Oton Municipal Police Station are under investigation following the escape of a person under police custody nearly a week ago.

Col. Bayani Razalan, Iloilo Police Provincial Office director, said the IPPO Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit would investigate a police chief master sergeant, a police staff sergeant and a patrolman.

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

“We would determine if they followed the PNP Standard Operating Procedures (SOP),” Razalan said.

The detainee, identified only as alias Ron, escaped while undergoing a medical examination at the Oton Rural Health Unit.

Ron, 29, of Barangay Bulad, Guimbal, is facing a complaint for violating Republic Act 8353, or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997.

The three police officers escorted Ron and another detainee to the health facility at about 9:43 a.m. on July 15.

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

Police said Ron was handcuffed when he was allowed to enter the restroom.

At about 10:41 a.m., the officer heard a loud noise 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., he informed his superior, Lt. Col. Arnel Solis, that Ron had escaped while under his watch.

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

One police team proceeded to the Oton command center to review available closed-circuit television footage.

Other teams checked the detainee’s possible escape routes.

Solis personally inspected the area at 12:16 p.m., while Razalan arrived at the Oton Municipal Police Station at about 2 p.m.

Police traced the detainee’s movements using CCTV footage.

During follow-up operations near Oton Central Elementary School, residents told police they had earlier seen a man wearing handcuffs who matched the detainee’s description.

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

Ron later emerged from the swamp and was rearrested at 2:40 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion East, Oton.

Less than an hour later, police brought him to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo.

Jail authorities temporarily deferred his admission because of scratches on his body.

At 7:10 p.m., Ron was taken to the Rep. Pedro Trono Memorial District Hospital for further medical examination.

He was admitted for observation after complaining of stomach pain.

Razalan said Ron’s “drama” ended after doctors found no medical condition that required attention.

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

Razalan initially found that the police chief master sergeant had been directly responsible for Ron.

One officer had been assigned to the other detainee, while the patrolman had driven the police vehicle and was ordered to return to the station to respond to a traffic incident.

“As I initially read their explanation, it looks like there’s a violation after the police escort failed to personally check the CR. He should not have allowed the inmate to go out of his sight,” Razalan said.

Razalan reminded police officers that the escape of a detainee could seriously damage their service records.