NBI security officer, personnel dismissed over Mancao escape

Former Police Colonel Cezar Mancao II is escorted by NBI agents led by NBI Regional Director Ric Diaz as they make their way to the RTC branch 18 for the arraignment on Dacer-Corbito double murder in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The National Bureau of Investigation dismissed from services the head of the Security and Management Division and several security personnel on duty when former police officer Cezar Mancao escaped from the NBI custody.

Dismissed officers were Rodrigo Mapoy, head of the Security and Management Division, and security personnel Pablo Remalante and Ibrahim Musa, both are security details of Mancao.

NBI Director Nonnatus Rojas said for the meantime NBI Deputy Director for Administrative Service Edmond Arugay will head the Security and Management Division while investigation is ongoing.

Rojas said they are still determining if the security official and personnel can be criminally prosecuted for infidelity in the custody of prisoner.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said she again was able to talk to Mancao past 4 p.m.

She said Mancao clarified his statement that he will not surrender. What Mancao meant, according to the DOJ chief, is he will not surrender at the moment but “in due time.”

Mancao, she added, also appealed to the DOJ and NBI not to dismiss the security personnel.

De Lima said they do not believe that Mancao escaped without inside help.