Four Ozamis jail escapees recaptured

Four out of the 12 inmates who bolted from the Ozamis City jail last Saturday were recaptured by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology tracking team, BJMP officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Diony M. Mamaril reported Monday.

Mamaril said the four inmates were re-arrested yesterday in Ozamis City, a day after they escaped from jail taking advantage of the heavy rains due to Typhoon Gener.

He identified the four recaptured inmates as Angelito Pepito who was charged of statutory rape, Ronie Tumapon for theft, Wilfred Giolen for grave threats, and Jojie Pabingwit for frustrated murder.

BJMP OIC, Legal Service and Spokesman C/Insp. Roy Panti Valenzuela said that hot pursuit operations are in progress for the remaining eight escapees.

Per instruction of DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, Valenzuela said that an ongoing investigation is now being conducted on the duty officers at the time of the incident, namely, JO3 Roy Tuarez, JO1 Jason dela Cerna and OIC Warden SJO4 Edgar G. Tapayan, who is acting OIC-Warden while Ozamis City Warden Insp. Murphy Podyog is on leave.

Valenzuela said among the escapees are Wilfedo Panongalinga, Jr., convicted for 6 years violation of R.A. 8294 (firearms law) and with a pending murder case; Mario Elumbaga for theft; Harry Alfeche for violation of Sec. 5 Art 2 of R.A. 9165; Frevilito Gabigas, Jr. for robbery in an inhabited place; Angelo Bacus for violation of R.A. 9165; Jomar Pelago for violation of Sec 7 (b) Art. 2 of R.A. 9165; Roger Felicilda for violation of Sec. 5 Art 2 of R.A. 9165, and one name have been withheld.

Earlier, Secretary Robredo ordered the relief, demotion and filing of administrative and criminal charges against Tapayan, Tuarez and dela Cerna.

"This should not be happening in our jails. Our officers and men at the Ozamis City Jail appear to be either sleeping on their jobs or are just sloppy officers. I don't and I will not buy their alibis that it happened during a heavy downpour," Robredo said .

The incident at the Ozamis City jail was not the first time. On April 28, 2010, six hardened criminals also escaped from the Ozamis City Jail after reportedly stealing the prison door keys from one of their jail guards who left them in his table.

The Ozamis city jail is under the overall supervision of BJMP Region X Director Sr. Supt. Abraham Pil Lintao. - DILG — ARA