Missing inmate Cataroja rearrested by Angono police

The New Bilibid Prison inmate who was reported missing and later on reported to have been found decapitated has been recaptured by police in Angono, Rizal.

In a statement, Bureau of Corrections said Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. has ordered an investigation how Michael Cataroja escaped from the NBP in Muntinlupa.

Area Police Command – Southern Luzon (APC-SL) commander Police Lieutenant General Rhoderick Armamento said Cataroja was arrested in Sitio Minahan Bato, Barangay San Isidro after a tip from a concerned citizen.

"Promptly, the Angono Municipal Police Station (MPS) sprang into action, devising a strategic plan that ultimately led to the successful apprehension of the fugitive," he said in a separate statement released late Thursday evening.

He said Cataroja has evaded authorities since July 7.

On August 5, he said the BuCor sought help from the APC-SL office to capture the missing inmate. 

"After an entire month of evading, an anonymous informant came forward, leading to the swift intervention of our PNP personnel," he added.

Cataroja is now under the custody of the Angono Municipal Police Station and will be turned over to the BuCor for proper disposition, according to Armamento.

A board of inquiry will be formed for the investigation to find out those responsible for Cataroja's escape.

Cataroja’s disappearance was first disclosed by former NBP Superintendent Angie Bautista.

Bautista had said that the 25-year-old person deprived of liberty had been detained at the NBP for violation of the Anti-Fencing Law.

The PDL’s disappearance led to a congressional inquiry in which Catapang said he believed Cataroja had escaped.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla at one time said that Cataroja’s remains had been found decapitated at the NBP, but later said it was “fake news.”

Catapang last week said there was a possibility that Cataroja was alive amid speculations that he had died.

He made the remarks during the joint hearing of the House committees on public order and safety.

“I am really exhausting all remedies, 24 hours hinahanap namin… There is a development, because right now there is a possibility that PDL Cataroja is still alive. Even his mother is telling us she wants her son to surrender to (Senator) Raffy Tulfo,” Catapang told lawmakers.

(I am really exhausting all remedies. We’re looking for him 24 hours a day. There is a development because right now there is a possibility that PDL Cataroja is still alive. Even his mother is telling us she wants her son to surrender to Raffy Tulfo.)

Other alleged illegal activities inside the NBP were raised during the committee hearing including two videos showing detainees Rey Carlo Miranda and Jomar Macalansag — leaders of the Commando Group — reportedly handling illicit drugs.

One footage showed an inmate repacking suspected shabu while the other showed a PDL also holding suspected shabu concealed in a snack packaging.

Miranda and Macalansag denied they were the inmates in the videos, presenting their tattoos on their arms as pieces of evidence. The PDLs in both footage have no tattoos.

“A wrongful accusation must be discussed as well, para balanse. In other words hindi sila ang nasa video,” Representative Dan Fernandez said.

(A wrongful accusation must be discussed as well, for balance. In other words, they are not the PDLs in the video.)

Meanwhile, Catapang attributed the recent incidents inside the national penitentiary on his decision to transfer the alleged drug lords inside the NBP to other detention facilities.

“They want to put in place the new leadership that they want. Nagtataka nga po ako. Kasi nine months ako nag-takeover, I was able to hold on to it, then when I started transferring them, d’yan na po nagsimula ang gulo-gulo dyan sa loob,” he said.

(They want to put in place the new leadership that they want. I took over nine months ago and I was able to hold on to it, then when I began transferring them, the incidents started.)

Catapang also asked for support for his reform programs, adding he inherited the existing problems inside the NBP from his predecessors.

“I serve at the pleasure of the people and the President, and the Secretary. I am willing if told to resign from my position. But right now I will not resign, because I have a duty, a task to do. Please give me more time, because sinalo ko lahat ng problemang ito,” he said. —with Joviland Rita/ NB/ VAL, GMA Integrated News