Suspect in Comelec legal chiefs’ murders escapes from PNP camp

Acting Metro Manila police director Chief Superintendent Eric Javier has ordered a thorough investigation of the disappearance of a policeman linked to the murders of Commission on Elections (Comelec) legal department head Alioden Dalaig and his successor, Wynne Asdala.

Police Officer 2 Basser Ampatuan was reported missing since 2 a.m. Saturday from Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. He had been under restrictive detention upon orders of Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr.

Javier has ordered the creation of a task force, led by Chief Inspector Agapito Quimson, to conduct follow-up operations to locate Ampatuan.

He also placed under investigation PO2 Mark Pasagui, who was assigned as Ampatuan’s custodian.

A source said Ampatuan’s father, Tommy, 56, “had always feared his son might just disappear one day” and be killed, purportedly as he tries to escape.

Meanwhile, the prime witness in the Dalaig slay case said she fears for her life following reports that Ampatuan escaped from police custody.

The witness identified Ampatuan as the one who shot Dalaig as he was crossing the street on his way to a casino at the Hyatt Hotel in Ermita last Nov. 10.

The witness suspects that Ampatuan paid for his freedom and would even pay assassins to kill her. “I knew all along that there was laxity on the part of Basser’s escorts when I saw him without handcuffs during the preliminary investigation at the fiscal office in Manila last month. I believe he was set free by the police,” the witness told The STAR.   

Chief Inspector Dominador Arevalo Jr., who is handling the Dalaig case, doubled the witness’ security escorts and said she will be placed under the government’s Witness Protection Program under the Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, Dalaig’s widow also sought police protection after hearing news of Ampatuan’s escape. She had previously told the police that she had seen Ampatuan and a companion casing their house several days before her husband was killed.

Arevalo advised Dalaig’s widow to keep in touch with the police.    – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Nestor Etolle