'Drunk' policeman releases detainee

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman assigned at the Sibonga Police Station is now in hot water for “letting” a detainee escape from jail last Sunday afternoon.

Junry Yamaro, 28, single, of barangay Bahay, Sibonga is now enjoying his life outside after PO2 Noel Fuentes Rodriguez, duty jail guard, opened the detention cell’s door at 5:30 p.m. and let the suspect out.

Yamaro is facing a rape case that was docketed in a court in Argao town.

Reports that reached the Provincial Police Office said that Rodriguez just let Yamaro out of the jail without any apparent reason.

There were allegations that Rodriguez was drunk on the time of the incident prompting his superiors to let him undergo liquor test on the night of the incident.

Elements of Sibonga police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation but failed to arrest Yamaro.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Jesus Gaquing, in an interview, said that they are still to aggregate all the circumstances of the incident, saying a detainee could only be released from jail if there is authority from the court.

“Mura na hinuon ni og inmate out, policeman in,” Gaquing said, adding criminal and administrative charges will be filed against Rodriguez soon.

He added they are also to check if the police chief of Sibonga could be held liable for the incident, especially that Rodriguez reportedly went to duty while under the influence of liquor. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/WAB (THE FREEMAN)