Thursday, August 09, 2007 Talisay cop faces inquiry on escape of female inmate
A TALISAY City policeman is facing an investigation after a female inmate escaped while in his custody outside the Palace of Justice in Cebu City last Tuesday.
Rosita Obiso, 43, of Barangay Pasil, Cebu City dashed to freedom after SPO2 Pedrito Caburnay left her in a City-owned ambulance driven by Eliseo Langamin past 10 a.m.
For lack of service vehicle, SPO3 Joel Wenceslao Talisay City police sub-station acting chief, requested the City Hall to use its ambulance to ferry Anecito Abarquez, another inmate, who was scheduled for inquest at the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Abarquez is facing cases for grave threats and physical injuries in relation to the special law against child abuse.
Obiso boarded the same vehicle, as she was supposed to be taken directly to the Talisay City Jail in the mountain barangay of Maghaway, Wenceslao said.
Security guards of Gaisano Fiesta Mall in Barangay Tabunok arrested Obiso for shoplifting last July 18.
“We got the commitment order of Obiso last Friday. But Caburnay defied my order for him to drop Obiso first in Maghaway.
He instead took Obiso along with another prisoner to the Palace of Justice,” he said.
Wenceslao said Caburnay also did not handcuff Obiso when he left her in the vehicle or instruct the ambulance driver to watch over her.
“When he came back after the inquest proceedings, the prisoner was no longer around,” he added.
Wenceslao learned of the incident when Caburnay reported to him past 12 noon.
He said that Talisay City Police Station Chief Romeo Perigo already ordered an investigation to look into the administrative liability of Caburnay.
As of press time yesterday, Caburnay failed to find yet the escapee, whom authorities believe is hiding in Barangay Pasil.
Wenceslao said Caburnay requested that he be given time to recapture Obiso. (GC)
