Rafael Bandayrel
An inmate, who was rushed to a hospital after claiming he was sick, managed to escape from members of the Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Guillermo Eleazar.
Police identified the escapee as Arman Arroyo, 35, a detainee at Malate Police Station (PS-9), and resident of Barangay 8, Leveriza Street, Malate, Manila.
Eleazar confirmed that Arroyo escaped while he was being observed at Ospital ng Maynila around 3:30 a.m.
“The suspect apparently collapsed so police brought him to the hospital for a check-up. He was guarded by MPD personnel and he was with his mother,” Eleazar said.
Eleazar said that when Arroyo felt better, he told cops that he would go to the comfort room to pee. His security escort, Police Officers 1 Rolly Mendano and Kelvin Ramirez, waited outside the comfort room.
However, Arroyo failed to come out of the comfort room after several minutes, so his security escorts forced their way inside.
It was only then that the cops realized Arroyo had already got out of the hospital by opening a small window leading to the exit of the establishment.
According to Eleazar, Arroyo has an illegal drug case and has a heart disease (enlargement of the heart) based on the medical records of the MPD.
Eleazar said PO1s Mendano and Ramirez have already been relieved from their post and will be charged with infidelity in the custody of a detainee.
He also revealed that Superintendent Roberto Domingo, the station commander of Malate Police Station, has already relieved his deputy station commander, Chief Inspector Romeo Salvador, and two other duty officers, due to command responsibility.
A manhunt was launched by the MPD to re-arrest Arroyo. (Martin A. Sadongdong)
