A task force was formed by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to spearhead the manhunt of three escapees, one of them facing multiple cases of murder, attempted and frustrated murder, who bolted from the Bago City police jail Monday.

At the same time, Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, also ordered a thorough investigation of the jail break, and the review of security in all police jails.

Detained suspects Aris Chicuva, Ryan de la Torre and Michael Victor Vergara escaped Monday by sawing off the iron window grills of their detention cell at the Bago police jail, three days after their arrest on March 9.

Guisihan, however, said he cannot yet order the immediate relief of personnel on duty, pending investigation of the jail break, and also cited the lack of police personnel.

Definitely, he added, those who may have committed some lapses, which led to the escape of the three detained suspects, will answer for them.

Guisihan warned Negrenses that the fleeing inmates are dangerous, as they are determined to kill their victims.

Chicuva , 27, has three arrest warrants for murder, three more arrest warrants for attempted murder, and another case for frustrated murder charges, all issued by Negros Occidental Regional Trial Court Judge Anastacio Rufon.
De la Torre, on the other hand, was also linked to some hold-up incidents in Bacolod City, police investigations also showed.

Troopers of the Negros Occidental PNP Public Safety Company headed by Supt. Armando Tubongbanua intercepted and arrested the three suspects Friday in Brgy. Sampinit, Bago City, for having three homemade shotguns, a, bladed weapon and for carrying suspected dried marijuana leaves.

Tubongbanua is again leading the police task force that is now pursuing Chicuva and his two companions.

Police investigation showed that Chicuva was positively identified by a witness as the one who robbed and killed lending firm manager Jocelyn Genovea in Brgy, Pahanocoy, Bacolod in January this year. At the same time, Chicuva was also involved in the robbery of the St. Ezekiel Moreno Monastery in Purok San Roque, Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City, last month.

Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, Bacolod police director, said they will file robbery with homicide charges against Chicuva and two John Does for the hold-up and killing of Genovea.

On top of it, de la Paz said, Chicuva and Romar Dobrea are also facing robbery charges, in connection with the ransacking of the St. Ezekiel Moreno Monastery.

Judge Rufon has denied Chicuva bail for the three murder cases, set a bail of P120,000 each for the attempted murder charges, and P20, 000 bail for the frustrated murder charges.* GPB

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