A quiet Sunday turned out to be tumultuous at the maximum security of the PNP custodial center in Camp Crame when three detainees tried, but were killed, to escape the prison and one even held hostage former Sen. Leila de Lima and stabbed a police officer who ran to save her.
Detained former Sen. Leila de Lima was unharmed in this morning’s hostage taking at the Camp Crame Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police but her hostage taker, identified as Feliciano Sulayao Jr., was later shot dead, the Inquirer reported.
The slain suspect and fellow detainees, Arnel Cabintoy and Idang Susukan, in trying to escape during the breakfast line-up, ganged up and stabbed a police officer.
Another officer witnessed the stabbing and shot and killed Cabintoy and Susukan.
Sulayao ran towards De Lima’s cell and held her hostage.
“Members of the Special Action Forces immediately responded to the incident and negotiated with Sulayao but to no avail. Since the situation is escalating, the tactical team engaged Sulayao and he was neutralized,” the PNP statement added.
PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. has ordered an in-depth investigation on the incident.
“Tension inside the detention facility has been defused and the situation has returned to normal while investigation is ongoing to review the security protocols inside the PNP Custodial,” said the PNP.
“That is all we can tell you at the moment. We will keep you posted of other developments as more information becomes available,” it added.
“PNP has neutralized the three prisoners, and de Lima is now safe while the police officer who was stabbed was rushed to hospital,” CNN Philippines said in a report.
Other reports said the hostage taker was a notorious Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) member, and that the police officer who was stabbed in the early Sunday morning drama is in critical condition.
De Lima, who faces trial in Muntinlupa courts on drug-related charges dating back to her stint as Justice Secretary before being elected senator in 2016, has been detained since 2017. She has denounced the charges as fabricated, and blames former President Rodrigo Duterte, who has not hidden his disdain for the former senator because of her investigations on the extra judicial killings in Davao, while Duterte was its mayor.
Based on the initial report shared with media by the PNP Information Office, in the three men’s attempt to escape, “they stabbed one police officer. Another police on-duty was able to respond and he fired towards the PUPCs hitting Cabintoy and Susukan.”
At this point, “Sulayao ran towards the custodial cell of Atty. Leila de Lima and held her as hostage.
Members of the Special Action Forces immediately responded to the incident and negotiated with Sulayao but to no avail. Since the situation is escalating, the tactical team engaged Sulayao and he was neutralized,” said the report from Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba.
Condemnation
Former and incumbent opposition senators today condemned the hostage-taking attempt at de Lima that took place right inside the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Custodial Center where she is currently detained.
“We worry for the safety of (former) Sen. Leila de Lima. The PNP should come up with a detailed report on what happened and why this happened considering that Sen. de Lima is held in a separate area away from other inmates,” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said in a statement.
“We are glad with the initial report that she is okay. The wheels of Justice in this country must move quicker,” Pimentel added.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the hostage taking of former Senator Leila de Lima right inside the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center. This is unjust, barbaric, and despicable,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said.
“We demand an explanation and a thorough investigation of this violent incident from the PNP and the Department of Justice. We need answers. Those responsible for the incident should be immediately identified and should be held liable,” she said.
At the same time, Hontiveros expressed grave concern over the security within the said compound where high-profile suspects are detained.
“How can armed detainees easily gain access to the custodial cell of Sen. Leila, which is deep inside the PNP national headquarters? What lapses in security must be addressed, and most of all, who is responsible for these lapses? We strongly deplore this breach of duty,” she said as she asked PNP to increase security around de Lima and ensure that no more similar incidents occur.
“Now more than ever, we call for the immediate release of former Senator Leila from her unjust detention and the dropping of the trumped-up charges against her,” Hontiveros emphasized.
Former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said they are alarmed that the incident can happen right inside the maximum security custodial center within the PNP.
“We seek a full accounting of the incident and find out if there was negligence,” Pangilinan said.
“We also reiterate our call that government take swift measures to fast-track the resolution of her cases. Former Sen. De Lima does not belong in prison, is being unjustly detained, and must be released,” he added.
Former Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon also called for a “full-scale” security review of the PNP custodial center’s premises and whether the hostage-taking incident was planned.
“While we praise the PNP for their work in resolving the tense hostage situation involving detained former Senator Leila de Lima, the incident was alarming and called for a full-scale security review,” Drilon said in a statement.
“Together with this call, we join the countless Filipinos in praying and in calling for the immediate release of De Lima who has been detained for trumped-up illegal drug charges since 2017,” Drilon said adding that “we also pray for the speedy recovery of the police office stabbed during the unfortunate incident,” he also said.
Marcos tells PNP no more repeat of de Lima incident
President Marcos Jr. wants no repeat of the hostage-taking of former Senator Leila de Lima that wounded a police officer inside Camp Crame and all other detention centers in the country.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed Camp Crame to enforce all measures necessary to ensure that no act of violence in said facility and all other PNP detention centers shall happen again,” Office of the Press Secretary Undersecretary-OIC Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil said.
The PNP has launched an in-depth investigation into the incident.
The hostage taking took place at around 6:30 a.m. during the distribution of food ration at the maximum compound of the PNP Custodial Center.
Detainees Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao attempted to bolt the facility during the distribution of food, and, in the process, held hostage Police Corporal Roger Agustin and the former senator.
“Corporal Agustin is now in the hospital and is being treated for his injuries. Senator De Lima was left unscathed. Both will receive all necessary medical and psychological attention needed,” Gerafil said.
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