PDEA chief decries 'suspicious' escape of Capiz drug suspect

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Dionisio Santiago has expressed disappointment over the escape last Sept. 26 of an alleged big-time drug suspect from the Capiz provincial jail under suspicious circumstances.

The escapee, Sulpicio Marcelino Jr., tagged as the top drug personality in Capiz, bolted the provincial jail at the height of the anniversary celebration at the Capiz Rehabilitation Center.

Santiago said Marcelino was a “high-value target” of drug law enforcement authorities.

He decried the alleged “preferential treatment” reportedly accorded to Marcelino by the personnel of the Capiz provincial jail prior to his escape.

Santiago said this was confirmed by no less than acting provincial warden Arjuna Yngcong in his official report to Capiz Gov. Victor Tanco.

Yngcong reportedly said in the report that Marcelino was a “trustee prisoner,” meaning he enjoyed the privilege of moving around in the jail compound with lesser restrictions compared to “ordinary” inmates.

“We are alarmed over the fact that Marcelino is the top drug personality in the province, yet he was still accorded preferential treatment in the provincial jail. His escape raises several questions as to whether there was due diligence on the part of the guards to prevent his escape,” Santiago said.

According to the provincial warden’s report, Marcelino took advantage of the festivities in line with the 59th anniversary of the Capiz Rehabilitation Center when he escaped between 2 and 3 p.m. last Sept. 26.

Marcelino was arrested by the Capiz police on May 7, 2007 and by PDEA agents during a counter-narcotics operation on Sept. 26, 2008.