CPDRC dangles reward for escapee’s arrest

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center has offered cash reward for any information that would help capture an escapee from the jail facility. 

Marco Toral, CPDRC jail management consultant, said the cash reward will come from his personal pocket. He, however, asked The Freeman not to divulge the five-digit amount.

The jail management has already coordinated with the police to distribute the photos of Michael De la Rosa.

De la Rosa, 35, bolted from CPDRC Saturday dawn, taking advantage of the heavy downpour. He is facing charges for violation of dangerous drugs law and illegal possession of firearm and was detained at the CPDRC since March 3, 2015.

Toral disclosed that he was able to talk with De la Rosa over the phone when the former went to the latter’s house in Barangay Buanoy in Balamban town.

De la Rosa reportedly said he would consider Toral’s request for him to surrender. Toral said De la Rosa told him that he missed his family, especially his five children who stopped schooling following his arrest in March.

“Ingon siya nga huna-hunaon sa daw niya makadaghan kay nabalaka pod basin daw nga di na siya kalaya, unya iyang pamilya naglisod pud,” Toral said over the phone.

Toral said De la Rosa’s family did not know his whereabouts as he did not come home. De la Rosa was also apprehensive that he might be mauled should he decide to surrender.

 Toral, however, said he assured De la Rosa of his safety and security and would even give assistance to his family.

“Gipasaligan namo nga di gyud siya pahilabtan… Pwede pa gane mi motabang sa iyang pamilya kay luoy gyud pud kaayo, wa intawn kuryente pagbisita namo,” Toral said.

CPDRC management has yet to submit an incident report to the Capitol and ask the Committee on Discipline and Investigation to place the two guards on duty under investigation.

De la Rosa was believed to have scaled the jail’s perimeter fence in the midst of the heavy downpour.

In June, a CPDRC inmate also attempted to escape from the facility but was caught by the guards when he was about to exit the main gate.

CPDRC houses more than 2,500 inmates, 900 more than its capacity.  (FREEMAN)