THE Bilibid inmate who was reported missing since last month and earlier reported as dead by no less than Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has been recaptured by police in Rizal province.
In a statement, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. ordered a “full-blown” investigation on how Cataroja, who was nabbed by members of the Angono police, was able to escape from the national penitentiary.
“I want to find out who were responsible for his escape,” Catapang said.
Earlier, an official of the BuCor’s Intelligence and Investigation Division who requested anonymity said Michael Cataroja “is now at the Binangonan Police Station.”
The official did not provide additional details such as how Cataroja managed to get out of the national penitentiary.
Remulla earlier said the decapitated body found inside a septic tank in the NBP’s maximum security compound in Muntinlupa City belonged to Cataroja. Remulla later admitted he was fed the wrong info.
It was unclear where Remulla got the wrong information, but BuCor officials denied they provided the DOJ chief with the erroneous information.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. told the Senate in a hearing early this month that Cataroja would remain listed as “missing” until the agency has exhausted search efforts at the sprawling Bilibid compound.
Cataroja was reported missing last July 15.
He was committed to the NBP on July 26, 2022 after he was sentenced 12 years to 20 years for violations of Presidential Decree 1612 or the Anti-Fencing Act Law.
He has another pending case of carnapping before the Regional Trial Court Branch 71 of Antipolo City.
Cataroja’s last known address before he was committed to the NBP was Sitio Manahan Bato, Barangay Don Mariano in San Isidro, Rizal.
