BI sacks 2 over German detainee's escape

MANILA, Philippines –  The Bureau of Immigration (BI) relieved Friday a warden and a jail guard from their posts after a German national, wanted for sex crimes in his country, escaped from their custody, an official said yesterday.

In a statement, BI officer-in-charge Ronaldo Ledesma ordered the relief of jail warden Enrico Gecomo and jail guard Geronimo de Guzman of the BI civil security unit for the escape of German national Andreas Kohn.

The two officers were also given 72 hours to explain why they should not be administratively charged for the escape of Kohn, who disappeared after he was escorted to the German embassy.

The BI officer on duty yesterday was unable to provide a photograph of Kohn or details of his alleged sex crimes and how he ended up in the Philippines.

Ledesma appointed police Inspector Rodelio Obice as acting warden pending investigation of the incident.

Initial information showed that last Dec. 8, Kohn was given a pass from the BI detention facility to enable him to get travel documents at the German embassy in Makati City. De Guzman was tasked to escort him to the embassy.

It was while they were having snacks at a fastfood restaurant along Evangelista street when the fugitive reportedly disappeared. The BI said it has deployed two teams of intelligence agents to hunt down Kohn.

BI administrative chief Felino Quirante Jr. said charges of neglect of duty or misconduct might be lodged against the two employees. “They may also be criminally liable for charges of infidelity in the custody of prisoners,” he said.