Bilibid inmate escapes while in transit

An inmate of the National Bilibid Prison (NBP) escaped last week while en route back to the national penitentiary after attending a court hearing at a Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC), Prison Director Ricardo Macala confirmed yesterday.

Macala identified the inmate as Manuel Manalo, 25, of 1659 A. Santiago St., Paco, Manila.

Manalo had been convicted of attempted car theft charges and was sentenced to a maximum of six years in jail.

Macala, who only learned about the incident yesterday, said the inmate still has pending car theft cases at a Makati City court.

Reports reaching Macala said that Manalo had just come from a court hearing last May 16 when he managed to escape from prison guards Oscar Florendo and Meredito Rebenque, who accompanied him to the court.

Upon reaching Soldier’s Hills, which is a few minutes away from the NBP compound in Muntinlupa, at around 1 p.m., Manalo allegedly requested his guards to pull over as he had to relieve himself.

Macala said Prison Superintendent Gregorio Agaloos, who is directly in charge of the NBP, has ordered a manhunt for Manalo and suspended Florendo and Rebenque for grave misconduct.

Macala, for his part, has ordered an investigation into the incident. "The two prisons guards will have to explain the circumstances of Manalo’s escape," he said.

Depending on the results of the investigation, Florendo and Rebenque may be charged with grave misconduct and infidelity in custody of prisoners, which are administrative and criminal cases, respectively, Macala said. –Nikko Dizon