Palace on escaped Maguindanao ex-cop: Review jail security rules

Malacañang on Thursday expressed disappointment over the escape of a retired police officer linked to the November 23 massacre, saying there should be a regular review of security policies inside jails. Deputy Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said local police authorities and jail officials should have learned by now how to prevent prisoners, especially high-level suspects, from bolting their detention cells. “They should have learned—I’m not saying they have not learned—they may have taken measures in several of the other places where there had been breakouts," Saludo said. "But perhaps they need to look beyond and see other places as well where there might not have been any escapes, but they have high-security, high-value, detainees," he added. Retired Police Supt. Piang Adam broke out from his prison cell inside the Sultan Kudarat provincial jail Tuesday night, but jail officials only learned about his escape at about 9 a.m. the next day. Adam was among those arrested last year when the military conducted raids in several areas in Maguindanao in the wake of the carnage in Ampatuan town last November 23 that left 57 people dead. Authorities seized grenades, an M16, and ammunition from Adam's farm in Quirino, Sultan Kudarat. He was also charged with falsification of public documents and malversation of public funds before the Department of Justice (DOJ). “I’m sure she (Arroyo) is disappointed or unhappy about it, although she has not indicated to us any comment about it yet. What is important here is for the law enforcement authorities, as they are already doing, to hunt down the suspect but more important for them to review the security procedures in their jails," Saludo said. The Palace deputy spokesman said erring security officials should be held liable for the escape, adding that jail officials should regularly “review and continually strengthen the security procedures in their jails." Saludo also denied rumors that the visit of President Arroyo in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, was somehow a factor in escape. “This is speculation, I’m sure that (police are) looking into the reasons for it. This is one of the usual speculative remarks. We’ll just leave the investigating authorities to really pin down the reason," he said. Rumors earlier circulated that Adam was able to escape because police officials were too busy preparing for Mrs. Arroyo's visit last Wednesday.—Mark Merueñas/JV, GMANews.TV