SEN. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada has filed a resolution urging the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an investigation on the hostage-taking incident at the PNP Custodial Center so measures can be crafted to prevent similar incidents from happening inside Camp Crame and other police detention centers nationwide.
Estrada filed Senate Resolution No. 258 so the Senate can conduct an inquiry on how the three terrorists were able to carry out their escape try which later led to the hostage-taking of Sen. Leila de Lima, who is detained at Camp Crame’s custodial center since February 2017 on illegal drugs charges.
He said a probe is important to get to the bottom of the incident, even as the PNP leadership admitted there were lapses in security measures employed that time.
Estrada said the probe will be conducted as part of the Senate’s oversight powers to review the security and safety measures inside the national headquarters of the PNP and other camps nationwide.
“While our police officers demonstrated swift and decisive action during a crisis situation, the incident nonetheless reflects poorly on our police organization’s capacity to perform their mandate of preventing crimes, enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and ensuring public safety,” Estrada said.
Last October 9, three detained terrorists — Feliciano Sulayao, Idang Susukan, and Arnel Cabintoy — stabbed Corporal Roger Agustin, who was delivering food for the detainees, before they ran out of their cells.
A police sniper shot dead Susukan and Cabintoy, but Sulayao managed to run to the cell of De Lima and held her hostage.
Col. Mark Pespes, director of the PNP Headquarters Support Service, negotiated with Sulayao who demanded for a hummer and a helicopter to be used in his escape.
After more than 10 minutes of negotiation, Sulayao was shot in the head by Pespes as he handed him the drinking water the terrorist requested.
PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. had admitted lapses in security led to the incident.
Estrada said a Senate inquiry is necessary to prevent untoward and violent incidents from happening within Camp Crame and other police detention facilities.
