PNP, DOJ to probe claims Go bribed prison guards to escape

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police is set to coordinate with the Department of Justice after a New Bilibid Prison escapee who was recaptured Sunday alleged that high-profile inmate Rolito Go, along with three others, bribed jail guards to escape, its spokesman said Monday.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo said both the PNP and the DOJ, the office with jurisdiction over NBP, will verify murder convict Rommel Laciste’s claims that Go and three other Chinese-Filipinos gave their jail guards P2 million for their freedom.

Laciste, who was recaptured in Barangay (village) Roxas, Naguilian, Isabela around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, escaped from NBP hours after Rolito Go resurfaced.

Go claimed his kidnappers released him.

However, reports said Laciste alleged that Go and his companions escaped by hiding in a shipping container that was later hauled out of the compound.

“I’m very sure those responsible will be slapped with administrative cases,” Cerbo said if Laciste’s claims would be verified.

Go earlier said that he, along with his nephew Clemence Yu, was snatched from NBP by armed men who posed as NBI agents.

He said they were allegedly freed in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, where they took a bus ride back to Manila and surrendered to authorities.

The alleged kidnappers have reportedly demanded P50 million, but the Go family said no ransom was paid for his release.

Meanwhile, Laciste was convicted for the murder of Isabela assistant provincial probation officer Concepcion Lumanglas in 2006.