7 to be arrested for Al-Ghozi escape

Warrants of arrest have been issued by a Quezon City Regional Trial Court to seven members of the Intelligence Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP) including its three officials, who were held responsible for the escape of slain Indonesian terrorist Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi and two Abu Sayyaf members from the detention cells in Camp Crame in July last year.

Judge Evelyn Cabochan of Branch 98 issued the arrest warrants after the charge of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 against the seven respondents was raffled to her sala.

Cabochan issued the arrest order against Superintendent Reuben Galban, head of Foreign Intelligence and Liaison Office (FILO) of the IG-PNP; Superintendent Carlito Natanauan, chief of the Special Service Office (SSO); Superintendent Guillermo Danipog Jr.; Inspector James Dime, officer of the day; SPO3 Ruperto Principe Jr., sergeant of the guard; PO2 George Domingo, group duty PNCO; and PO1 Ronald Palmares, duty jail guard.

Dime, who is facing graft charges, was also charged with falsification of public documents for allegedly preparing a false report where he stated that he conducted at least three random inspection of all detainees before the detainees escaped.

Ombudsman Prosecutor Luis Aquino recommended the filing of charges against the seven members of the IG-PNP after finding probable cause to indict them in court.

A bail of P30,000 for the provisional liberty of each respondent was recommended by Aquino for the graft charges.

Aquino also recommended a bail of P24,000 for the charges of falsification of public documents for Dime.