11 cops charged over slay suspect’s escape

A police official and 10 of his men are facing charges for the alleged escape of a police officer linked to the murder of two legal department heads of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Chief Inspector Agapito Quimson, custodial officer of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), will be charged with simple neglect of duty under the doctrine of command responsibility for the “disappearance” of Police Officer 2 Basser Ampatuan.

Inspector James Naval, Senior Police Officer 2 Solomon Fullon, PO3 Efren Suguitan, PO3 Melecio Millanes, PO3 Camilo Maramag, PO3 Wilfredo Salinel, PO3 Cyril Dagusen, PO2 Faizal Dadung, PO2 Mark Pasagui and PO1 Maynard Tagudar will be charged with serious neglect of duty for their failure to perform their duties and responsibilities, leading to Ampatuan’s escape. Pasagui was the officer detailed to guard Ampatuan.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. has approved the recommendation of NCRPO  officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Eric Javier to conduct summary hearings against the 11 policemen, said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome.

“We can’t charge them (policemen) for infidelity because Ampatuan was only under restrictive custody for an administrative case,” said Bartolome, who noted that a Manila prosecutor has ordered the release of Ampatuan pending further investigation of his alleged link to the murders of Comelec legal chiefs Alioden Dalaig and Wynne Asdala.

Bartolome said the summary hearing will be expedited so that the police officers who had nothing to do with the Ampatuan’s disappareance will be cleared.

Reports have it that Pasagui allowed Ampatuan to go to the rest room. A few minutes later Ampatuan returned to the room. Pasagui, however, could not explain how Ampatuan disappeared.

Bartolome said they have yet to receive reports on Ampatuan’s whereabouts.

Earlier, Ampatuan’s father, Tommy, 56, said he fears his son might “disappear” or be killed.