By Jennifer P. Rendon
Three officers from the Iloilo City Police Station 3 have been reassigned following the escape of a detainee.
The officers, whose ranks range from patrolman to chief master sergeant, have been placed on temporary duty at the Iloilo City Police Office – General Services Office (ICPO-GSO) as of February 29.
Iloilo City Police Chief Colonel Joeresty Coronica said the officers have been removed from their positions at ICPS3 pending an ongoing investigation.
The ICPO City Investigation and Detection Management Unit (CIDMU), led by Lieutenant Colonel Marlon Valencia, is handling the inquiry.
“I want them to be investigated and prosecuted. They should face the consequences of their actions,” Coronica said.
He indicated that all three policemen could be charged with grave misconduct, and one might also face criminal charges for infidelity in the custody of a prisoner.
The incident in question involves the escape of 34-year-old Gabriel Carlo Tabon on February 28.
The custodial officer at ICPS3 noted Tabon’s absence at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday. CCTV footage later revealed that Tabon had stealthily escaped at approximately 3:14 p.m.
Initial findings suggest that the outgoing custodial patrolman permitted Tabon to leave his cell to clean the station’s premises at around 7 a.m.
An hour later, upon completing his shift, the patrolman handed over custody to an incoming staff sergeant.
However, the staff sergeant neglected to return Tabon to his cell, a lapse that persisted for hours until Tabon seized the opportunity to flee.
Coronica was initially informed by the staff sergeant that he had temporarily left the station to accompany another inmate for court document processing and had entrusted Tabon’s supervision to a senior officer, a chief master sergeant.
Tabon, originally from 127 Sandoval St., Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue, Barangay Caniogan, Pasig City, was residing in Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City before his arrest on September 16, 2023.
He was apprehended for estafa under Criminal Case No. PS6-16-00229, issued by Branch 157 in Pasig City, with a P20,000 bail bond set for his temporary release.
