Iloilo City – Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel surveyed the Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital after the getaway vehicle of murder suspect and mayoralty candidate Engr. Leodegario Labao surfaced at the area.
Labao is the suspected mastermind of last year’s murder of Mambusao vice mayor Abel Martinez. He is currently running against Martinez’ daughter.
A warrant of arrest was released April 10, the same day Labao was admitted into St. Paul’s Hospital (SPH).
However, it was only on April 14 that the police obtained verified information that Labao is confined in SPH.
The police attempted arrest but Labao escaped through a back door where he boarded a red Hyundai Eon with plate number FHH 746 assisted by two men and a woman. The arrest was delayed after personnel of SPH required police to wait outside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the said hospital.
Security cameras of the hospital captured the escape.
ESCAPE VEHICLE RESURFACES
The Hyundai Eon was traced back to a “Marilou Villasis.” The relationship between Labao and Villasis is held in confidence by the police.
Villasis is yet to surface. Cruz said, “If the owner claims the vehicle, her identity will be confirmed and she will be questioned.”
Police is unsure when the car arrived at the location but it was first seen first last Tuesday morning.
NOT IN ILOILO DOCTOR'S
The SWAT team arrived to search the hospital. “All of the rooms [of Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital], even the janitor rooms were scanned by the operatives. We looked around the establishment but didn’t find the subject.”, Cruz said.
“One thing is for sure, it is clear that [Labao] left St. Paul’s Hospital.”, Cruz said referring to the still unreleased footage showing a guard opening the back gate of the hospital.
All personnel of both the hospitals who might have information regarding Labao’s April 14 escape or the vehicle’s reappearance will be questioned.
The escape vehicle will be forwarded to the Scene of the Crime Operatives (S.O.C.O.) as physical evidence.
CONTINUING MANHUNT
The police regional chief said investigation and manhunt will continue until Labao is caught.
Currently, the police do not say if they have leads as to where the fugitive is.
Cruz assures that their evidence against other parties during the April 14 events are complete and that they are in the process of verification before proper complaints are filed.
STALLED BY HOSPITAL?
Labao’s confinement reached police four days after arrest warrant was released.
According to Atty. Jose Mari Benjamin Tirol of SPH, the hospital removed Labao from the hospital’s patient list after a lawful “deny admission request”.
Allegations of stalling the police were denied by SPH. Tirol tells police to “focus first on apprehending instead of blaming [SPH] on the failed arrest.”
Cruz says of SPH: “They are stonewalled for now, they might give information that can be used against them.”
SLOW POLICE
The slow response of the police in the arrest of Labao was defended by Cruz.
Police in civilian confirmed the presence of the suspect inside the hospital premises. However, they could not arrest the suspect. “Only uniformed police are allowed to arrest a person so they still had to contact policemen in uniform to arrest Labao.” Cruz said.
At present, the police is getting more and more tips through SMS about Labao’s whereabouts.
Cruz, however, did not answer if current information dictates Labao is still in the city.
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