Jail escapee recaptured in Catarman

CATARMAN, Northern Samar -- A murder suspect who bolted out of the Dancalan Provincial Jail in 2001 was recently recaptured in a village here by operatives of the Catarman Philippine National Police.

Police identified the suspect as Ernie Atencio, of legal age, resident of Barangay Narra, Catarman.

Based on the press release from the Police Community Affairs Desk of the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office, Atencio faces murder case, which was docketed under criminal case number 2622 at the Regional Trial Court branch 19 here.

The suspect was detained at the Northern Samar Provincial Jail in Barangay Dancalan in Bobon town but escaped in 2001, according to the wife of his victim who requested anonymity.

Police records show that Atencio also had a residence in Campopot Marivela Subdivision in Pamplona Tres, Las Pinas City, where he was believed to have lived while in hiding.

Last July 3, around 11:30 a.m., while the suspect was crossing the national highway in Sitio Macopa, Barangay Macagtas in Catarman, he was captured by the Catarman police team led by Police Senior Inspector Arnold Gomba along with Senior Police Officer (SPO) 1 Joshua Aliposa, PO1 Avestruz, PO1 Jamdel Aliposa, PO1 Gabby Orias, PO1 Sherwin Seso, PO1 Vincent Marteja, PO1 Reno Luchavez and PO1 Bennie Marquez.

The police recovered one firearm, a replica of .9mm Berreta and some bullets for .45 caliber pistol from the suspect.

The suspect did not resist arrest and calmly went with the arresting authorities. He was presented to the court the following day. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)