3 Caloocan jail escapees stage heist; 1 nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - One of three inmates who bolted the Caloocan City Jail was caught after they robbed the passengers of a public utility jeepney two hours after their escape at past midnight Friday.

Senior Police Officer 3 Alfredo Capuyan of Police Community Precinct 5 said Ruby Jeanne Carreon, 26, a call center employee, and Jessie Esmeralda, 54, sought police help at around 4 a.m. claiming they were robbed by three men while they were in a passenger jeepney along 2nd Avenue.

Capuyan said they were able to arrest one of the suspects, who identified himself as Jeffrey Paguia. However, police later found that Paguia was actually escaped murder suspect Reggie de Guzman, 23, also an alleged gang leader. Robbery suspects Allen Palatao, 26, and Mark Anthony Layugan, 23, remain at large.

Assistant prosecutor Darwin Canete said De Guzman was charged with robbery and using a fictitious name at around 12:45 p.m. yesterday. Canete said he ordered De Guzman’s return to the city jail.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos directed yesterday his men to coordinate with jail officials to catch the two escapees.

Meanwhile, Caloocan jail warden Superintendent Lyndon Torres was officially relieved from his post yesterday and transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-National Capital Region Office.

He was replaced by Superintendent Hilbert Flor, former Pasig City Jail warden.