Jail guards re-arrest juvenile escapee
As promised and expected, teener escapee Chris (not his real name) is back to barracks or specifically, behind bars following his re-arrest early Monday evening.
This as a team of jail guards scoured surrounding areas of the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (IRC) in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo and found him hiding in the middle of a riceland.
The teener's freedom was shortlived with Monday's escape lasting barely 12 hours. A team led by retired Senior Superintendent Roberto Nufable, IRC technical consultant found the visibly shaken 17 year-old alone and "very tired."
The teener escapee was found a few kilometers away from the multi-million jail building.
In an interview, Senior Supt. Nufable said Chris's fate now rests on the legal minds of the Capitol. And there will be major changes too, he added, if only to avoid similar easy escape in the future.
Chris unlike any other IRC inmates was not subjected to strict jail security. Juveniles like him are secured inside Area 5, far from regular detainees and were entrusted with jail chores.
A massive manhunt and hot-pursuit operation was launched minutes after jail guards discovered his escape. Three teams of armed provincial guards were sent out to re-arrest teener who hails from San Dionisio, Iloilo.
Facing theft charges, initial investigation disclosed that motive for Monday's escape could be yet another theft episode inside the IRC.
Nufable then said that the teener's re-arrest or surrender is imminent.
"I am optimistic that we will get him," Senior Supt. Nufable said while discounting any possibility that Hipolito had outside help.
IRC guards discovered the escape after the 8am head-count.
"I was there when he was last accounted for," Nufable added. "He was requested to take the garbage out and admittedly, there was human error and mental lapses from the side of our jail guards."