Passi City cop in 'hot water' over inmate's escape

By Florence F. Hibionada

A Passi City cop finds himself in a bigger mess following Sunday's easy escape of an inmate. Failing to meet the deadline set for the fugitive's recapture, the beleaguered policeman, PO3 Serafin Afficionado now faces possible administrative charges.

This, after Supt. Efren Quintos, officer-in-charge of the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) issued the order calling for the re-arrest of Alberto Hermo. To date, the matter remains unresolved and Hermo yet to be brought anew behind bars.

The 22 year-old escapee stands accused of frustrated homicide for the attempt made on the life of a male neighbor. Hermo as now charged, was reported to have put the blame on the victim over his missing pineapple produce in a harvest then made at Barangay Bitaogan.

PO3 Afficionado was Sunday's jail officer and the one reported to have given the go-signal for Hermo to go out of the jail premises. Apparently for humanitarian reasons, Hermo was allowed to do so in order to help get food stuffs and clothes brought by his elderly mother for the jail visit.

Upon his exit where he proceeded some 15 meters away, a sudden downpour came yet minutes after the rain stopped, Hermo was nowhere to be found.

A flash alarm was then sounded off alerting authorities and nearby police units of the escape with the immediate manhunt operation made. Government agents scoured the area and worked till dawn reaching nearby towns of San Enrique and Dumarao, Capiz while a separate team went as far as hinterland barangays of Dumangas.

As of press time, no Hermo has been found nor tips gathered on his possible hide-out. The family and known close relatives have been put under surveillance in the past days with police hoping for surrender feelers.