Newsman helped Faeldon escape – PNP chief

By Ronron
January 16, 2008

A member of the media was allegedly a key to the escape of Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon last November 29, 2007 during the height of the Magdalo takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City, the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said in a news conference at Camp Crame yesterday afternoon that the newsman actually facilitated the escape of Faeldon from the hotel, proof of which is a video footage and the testimony of a witness.

Razon opted not to disclose, however, the identity of the newsman, or even just the gender, saying that they have reasons “for higher consideration so we could get Faeldon.”

“Initially, we subjected that newsman to an investigation… And we were able to ascertain that … the newsman assisted Faeldon in leaving the hotel premises,” the PNP chief said.

The government had put up a P1 million bounty for the recapture of Faeldon, who had done the same escape in December 2005. He is facing charges before the civilian and military courts for his participation in the foiled 2003 Oakwood Mutiny in Makati City.

Razon said the act of the newsman to help Faeldon escape could actually make one liable for the crime of abetting a suspect and complicity to the crime of rebellion.

However, he said the police had decided not to pursue charges against the newsman, citing the same reason he gave why they are not identifying the said person./DMS