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Re-arrested Bilibid's PDL re-enacts his escape

Philippines | National

Re-arrested Bilibid's PDL re-enacts his escape

By Jeffrey Damicog

A person deprived of liberty (PDL), who had earlier escaped from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, re-enacted how he was able to break out of prison, explaining that he did so “by clinging to the bottom of a garbage truck.”

PDL Michael Angelo Cataroja was reported missing last July 15, but was re-arrested by operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Rizal last Aug. 17.

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. created a board of inquiry to probe Cataroja’s escape and to pinpoint the involvement of other persons.

During the inquiry on Sunday, Aug. 20, Cataroja demonstrated to investigators his escape from NBP.

Cataroja has been serving his 12 to 20 years jail term for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law.

He earlier told the PNP that he pretended to be a visitor at the NBP and casually walked out of Bilibid compound. He claimed he was able to copy a mark stamped on visitors using a ballpen.

The board of inquiry is composed of BuCor Deputy Director General for Administration Al Perreras, Deputy Director General for Operations Gil Torralba and Atty. Ferdinand Balduman, chief of Intelligence and Investigation Division.

The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights has announced its own inquiry into Cataroja’s escape on Tuesday, Aug. 22.

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