Convict back at Bilibid after casually walking out of prison over a month ago

Michael Cataroja, the NBP Maximum Security convict who “casually” walks out of prison is back in jail a day after being arrested by Angono police. (Photo from Bureau of Corrections)

MANILA, Philippines – Convict or person deprived of liberty (PDL) Michael Cataroja is back at New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa city more than a month since he was declared to be missing from its Maximum Security Compound.

Cataroja was rearrested Thursday by Angono police and turned over to Bilibid on Friday.

He was sent to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on July 26, 2022, after he was convicted for violating Presidential Decree 1612 or the Anti-Fencing Law.

On October 20, 2022, he was transferred to the Maximum Security Compound because of a pending carnapping case.

Cataroja was discovered to be missing from Bilibid last July 15, 2023.

However, based on a report from Angono police, Cataroja had been out of prison since July 7, 2023.

Angono police chief Major Lauro Moratillo recounted what was relayed to them by Cataroja about how he managed to escape.

Moratillo said Cataroja told them that he casually walked out of prison, joining the flow of visitors who were leaving.

The convict had used a ballpen to imitate the stamp mark that identified the visitors in the facility.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. created a Board of Inquiry to conduct an investigation into Cataroja’s jailbreak.

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