2 Cotabato inmates flee from police detention

The suspects facing statutory rape in Kidapawan City escaped in Cotabato town’s jail facility on Friday morning. (Photos courtesy PNP–Magpet)

KIDAPAWAN CITY, COTABATO – Two high-profile inmates facing statutory rape cases escaped from the police detention cell in the town of Magpet, Cotabato on Friday morning, a police official in Cotabato province confirmed on Saturday.

Lieutenant James Warren Caang, spokesperson of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, said the inmayes escaped while they were temporarily out of their prison cell for medical check up in the nearby health facility after they complained about supposed ailments.

Caang identified the escapees as Anthony Oclao who complained of experiencing stomach ache, and Ronnie Empoc, who allegedly experienced sore eyes. Both are facing statutory rape cases that took place in the hinter village in Kidapawan City.

The Magpet police collared the two suspects in separate operations last month. Oclao was arrested in Barangay Datu Celo, while Empoc was arrested in Barangay Pangao-an, by virtue of a warrant of arrest issued by a local court based in KIdapawan City.

Caang said the suspects escaped by jumping the concrete wall of the police station and ran in seperate directions.

READ: 34 of 158 inmates recaptured after North Cotabato jailbreak

The spokesperson however clarified that the two were guarded by some members of Magpet police station and were supposedly in hand cuffs.

Caang however said that hot pursuit operations are underway against the two. /jpv