2 bolt WPD Ermita jail, recaptured

Two inmates in the Ermita police station (Station 5) bolted their jail cell early yesterday morning but were swiftly recaptured 30 minutes later.

Reports identified the escapees as robbery suspects Michael delos Santos 26, of 608 Kagitingan St., Tondo, and Ronald Rueda, 16, of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City.

Delos Santos and Rueda escaped at about 4 a.m after noticing that the padlock of their cell was open. They slipped away as personnel on duty were reportedly fast asleep.

The escape of the two was only noticed after the station conducted a headcount of the inmates several minutes later. A manhunt to track down the two was immediately conducted.

Policemen later saw Delos Santos and Rueda walking along the Rizal Park grounds and gave chase. The two were collared near the Finance Building.

Delos Santos and Rueda told police that they decided to rest for a while at Luneta as they did not have money to pay for their transportation.

Meanwhile, Western Police District director Chief Superintendent Avelino Razon ordered a probe of the incident despite the swift recapture of the two escaped suspects. – Mike Frialde