Cops collar escaped NPA rebel in Northern Samar

CATARMAN, Northern Samar, Philippines —  A confessed member of the New People’s Army who escaped from the Allen Sub-Provincial Jail on Thursday was rearrested by the police on Sunday, Oct. 20.

Aljun Cardenas, 18, was found hiding in his house in Barangay Dawo Oquendo District, Calbayog City, according to Col. Reynaldo dela Cruz, director of the Northern Samar Police Provincial Office.

The Calbayog City police will return Cardenas to the Allen Sub-Provincial Jail where he will be detained pending resolution of the charges for attempted homicide and illegal possession of firearms.

“They [Allen jail officers] assured us that Cardenas won’t be able to escape again,” Dela Cruz told the Inquirer.

Cardenas reportedly escaped by climbing the water tank beside the concrete fence at the back of the jail.

Cardenas was first captured by police officers during the foiled siege of the Victoria Municipal Police Station last March 28.

/atm