Escaped detainee arrested anew, faces more raps

CEBU, Philippines – A detainee who escaped from his police escorts last May inside the Palace of Justice was arrested again and charged with Possession of Illegal Drugs before the Regional Trial Court.

Arnel Saladaga, 25, was arrested last May 22 for alleged possession of illegal drugs also but escaped from his two escorts PO2s Marvin Sanson and Eric Ricardel, who were bringing him to the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office to file the complaint against him.

He was arrested again on June 30 shortly after police received a tip that there was an escapee armed with a handgun in barangay Ermita.

Aside from violation of illegal possession of firearm charges, Saladaga was also charged for violating Section 11 of the Dangerous Drugs Act after police found him to be in possession of two packs of shabu during his arrest.

During the time of his escape, Saladaga was with another suspect identified as Jessie Mosqueda Donal, who was also arrested for the same offense.

Saladaga and Donal were both handcuffed when they reached the Palace of Justice.

But Sanson reportedly left the suspects at a corner near the door of the prosecutors’ office while he went inside to process the documents needed for the filing of the complaint.

Ricardel, who was the driver of the patrol car, was still outside the building parking the service vehicle.

Saladaga reportedly escaped after he managed to break free from the handcuffs and walked out of the building, leaving Donal behind after he opted not to go with Saladaga. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP (THE FREEMAN)