BACOLOD CITY – Police are now conducting manhunt operation to recapture a prisoner who escaped from the custodial facility of the Talisay City Police Station in Negros Occidental on Wednesday.
Talisay City police chief Lt. Col. Arthur Baybayan identified the escapee as Arnel Ocaña, 38, of Barangay Cabatangan, Talisay City.
Baybayan said that Ocaña carried out his plan to escape by complaining that he was experiencing abdominal pain and difficulty in breathing.
The desk officer, who was also concurrently assigned as a jailer, then immediately assisted Ocaña and ushered him to lie down on the steel chairs located at the lobby area.
However, when the desk officer turned his back to return to the desk to call the Talisay City Health Office through a landline, Ocaña took advantage of the moment. He ran and jumped over the cemented wall at the back portion of the police station.
Ocaña was arrested in the city on April 23, 2022, for the crime of rape.
Baybayan said that Ocaña allegedly committed the offense in Mandaue, Cebu where he was identified as a top wanted person.
Baybayan said that Ocaña probably went home in the province after allegedly committing the offense. He was about to be transported to Cebu, when he escaped from the facility.
Baybayan said that some personnel who were deployed for the elections, were pulled out to help in the manhunt operation.
Meanwhile, Baybayan said that the desk officer/jailer was restricted at the police station, pending the investigation.