De Lima's hostage-takers demanded helicopter to escape PNP facility —Abalos

Three persons under police custody (PUPCs) who held hostage former Senator Leila de Lima early Sunday demanded a helicopter in their bid to escape prison, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said. 

The three PUPCs were identified as Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao Jr. They were all members of Abu Sayyaf, according to a report by Luisito Santos citing Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.

“Gusto kong iklaro sa mga nakikinig ngayon, itong tatlong ito ang target nila ay tumakas… Na-hostage si [former] Senator. Tinalian at piniringan ang mata. Humihingi ng kung ano-ano, ng Hummer, ng helicopter, et cetera,” Abalos told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City. 

(I want to clarify that these three PUPCs aimed to escape prison... The former Senator was taken hostage. She was tied and blindfolded. They were demanding several items, a Hummer, helicopter, et cetera.)

Azurin earlier said that the incident occurred at around 6:30 a.m. at the PNP Custodial Center inside Camp Crame in Quezon City.

He said a police officer identified as duty personnel Police Corporal Roger Agustin was delivering food for PUPCs at the time of the incident.

The PNP chief added that it was also the time when PUPCs are allowed to go outdoors for sunlight. Agustin was stabbed with an improvised knife by the three suspects, he said.

It was Sulayao who ran towards De Lima’s custodial cell and took her hostage, the PNP said in a statement.

The three suspects have pending criminal cases for murder, frustrated murder, kidnapping and illegal detention.

In a separate statement, the Office of the Press Secretary said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the PNP to make sure that no act of violence will happen again in its detention facilities.

Azurin has already ordered an in-depth investigation into the incident.

Abalos inspected the PNP Custodial Center and talked to De Lima.

LOOK: Ininspeksyon ni DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos ang PNP Custodial Center matapos ang tangkang pagtakas ng 3 high profile inmate at paghostage kay dating sen. Leila De Lima @dzbb pic.twitter.com/SlzTQqKbSn

— Luisito Santos (@luisitosantos03) October 9, 2022

 —KG, GMA News