Policeman in hot water for escape of detainee

City Police Director Patrocinio Comendador has ordered an investigation into the incident at the Marcelo Fernan Memorial Hall of Justice last Tuesday wherein a drug suspect escaped from his police escort.

Comendador said yesterday he was disappointed of what happened and the police escort, PO2 Marvin Sanson, will have to be placed under investigation. Should evidence merit, Sanson may be charged for irregularity in the performance of his official function and/or negligence of duty. 

Sanson is detailed at the San Nicolas Police Station.

Despite being handcuffed, Arnel Ancheta Saladaga, Saladaga escaped Sanson’s watch while the latter was busy preparing the documents needed to file the case against Salada in court.

It appeared Saladaga casually walked out of the Palace of Justice without the knowledge of Sanson and the building’s security guards.

Sanson said they tried to locate Saladaga in Barangay Pasil where he was arrested last May 22 but he could no longer be found. Despite the investigation, Comendador said Sanson would not be relieved from his post at the San Nicolas Police Station because the police station lacks personnel. Ideally, a suspect should be escorted by two policemen but owing to lack of personnel, only one policeman can escort a suspect these days, Comendador said.

Two months ago, Comendador issued an order that detainees must be handcuffed with their hands at their backs, something that was not done to Saladaga.

In a related development, prosecutors yesterday elevated to court a formal case for possession of illegal drugs against Saladaga but the court’s criminal division remanded the information to the prosecutor’s office for the reason that the respondent escaped.

In a letter to the prosecutor’s office, criminal division chief Edwin Savellon said they cannot docket the information against Saladaga because it was done in inquest proceedings that requires a commitment order. — Fred P. Languido and Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)