THE TWO persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who escaped from the sub-provincial jail in Barangay Veloso, Calubian, Leyte last October 31, 2024 were finally apprehended on Friday, November 1, 2024.
To recall, the said escapees were Arnel Halichic, 44, a resident of Barangay Cabalquinto, of said municipality; and Reggie Pepito, 32, from Barangay Suba, Villaba, Leyte. Both inmates were charged with unlawful possession of firearms and illegal drug offenses.
On Thursday, the escapees reportedly bolted for freedom by jumping over an unfinished concrete wall at around 3:00 P.M. and boarded a motorcycle waiting outside the facility. Accordingly, authorities blocked all escape routes, coercing Halichic and Pepito to surrender at around 4:00 A.M. on Friday. Authorities also conducted a manhunt operation after receiving a tip where said escapees were believed to be hiding in a mangrove forest in Barangay Cabalquinto.
The search operations were conducted by personnel of the Calubian Municipal Police Station (MPS), the 2nd Leyte Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), Leyte Sub-Provincial Jail personnel, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and community force multipliers.
According to Captain Alexander Alfonso, acting chief of Calubian MPS, the collective efforts of the police and other units, along with the active support of force multipliers and the community, were the key factors in the surrender of the two escapees. By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail November 04-10, 2024 issue)
