Cops re-arrest inmate who escaped COVID-19 isolation facility in South Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY—Authorities have re-arrested a COVID-19-positive inmate who fled from the provincial isolation facility after learning he tested positive for COVID-19.

Reggie Grecia, 29, has been detained at the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center after being arrested for an illegal drug trafficking case in August 2019.

He had been suffering from tuberculosis and was recently brought to the South Cotabato provincial hospital for medication.

But while in the hospital, he tested positive for COVID-19, and was placed in an isolation facility.

After learning he had COVID-19, Grecia leaped off the third floor of the building from his isolation room and fled at dawn Monday, June 21, according to jail officials.

A province-wide manhunt was launched to locate him and prevent the public from getting exposed.

Allan Trespeces, councilor of Barangay Zone 3, Koronadal City, said he saw the escapee sitting at the bus terminal in Polomolok public market at 1 p.m. and alerted the police.

Grecia told reporters he only wanted to see his mother in General Santos City, so he tried to board the Mindanao Star bus from Koronadal.

He said, however, that he was told to leave the bus since he had no transportation money.

Health authorities in the province started tracking anyone who happened to have close contact with him during his escape, including the passengers, driver, and conductor of the Mindanao Star bus.

LZB