Honasan wants probe into Rolito Go’s disappearance

Senator Gregorio Honasan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The disappearance of high-profile prisoner Rolito Go demands an investigation by either the Senate or the House of Representatives, Senator Gregorio Honasan said on Wednesday.

“It’s alarming, whether it was an escape or a kidnapping… Can you imagine being kidnapped from the national penitentiary? If you can kidnap somebody, an inmate, who has been convicted, who is safe?” Honasan said.

According to Honasan, the probe will determine whether legislation is needed to give more teeth to the law.

Go was first reported missing at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after he did not appear at the headcount at the National Bilibid Prison (NBP).

He was last seen at the Ina ng Awa Church inside the national penitentiary where his nephew was seen dressing the prisoner’s wound. Go works at the church.

But his family told Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that he was kidnapped and his abductors were demanding a P1 million ransom for his release.

Go, convicted of murder for the death of college student Eldon Maguan in a road rage fit in 199, is a minimum security inmate after being in prison for almost 19 years. He is suffering from colon cancer.

At the Senate, Honasan said that they will wait for a copy of the official report from authorities from the national penitentiary regarding the incident within 24 hours.

“First is we want to receive an official report or copy of an official report from the national penitentiary authorities,” he said, adding this will avoid legislators to be influenced by reports from unconfirmed sources.