Drug suspect escapes from Camp Crame detention

MANILA, Philippines - A drug suspect, who was arrested in a drug bust on April 26, managed to escape Tuesday from his detention at the anti-drug unit inside Camp Crame in Quezon City after his police guard fell asleep.

Senior Superintendent Edgar Layon, deputy commander of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, said suspected drug dealer George Manlangit, 33, escaped while under the custody of the AIDSOFT Special Operations Unit 2.

Layon said Manlangit managed to escape at around 6 p.m. last May 1 when his guard PO3 Leonardo So fell asleep at his post.

Police records showed Manlangit and his girlfriend, Charie Durano, were arrested while selling 40 grams of shabu worth P220,000 to an undercover agent on April 26. The girl stayed and did not escape.

Layon said Senior Inspector Harold Aglipay, division chief, his duty guards So and PO2 Michael Angelo Salmingo have been placed under investigation. They will be under restrictive custody pending investigation of Manlangit’s escape.

Initial information showed Manlangit was detained in a room without handcuff, allowing him to leave Camp Crame without being accosted at the gate.

Layon said the investigation will cover the escape and the procedure in handling a person or persons in custody.

AIDSOTF leadership has asked for the immediate transfer of all arrested drug suspects from the AIDSOTF detention cell to the PNP Custodial Center.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the PNP has launched a massive manhunt against Manlangit.

“An all-points-bulletin was flashed to all PNP units in Metro Manila and nearby provinces— alerting police units to be on the lookout for Manlangit,” he added.