PNP exec nabbed for kidnap- murder escapes in Cagayan

By Raymund Catindig 

TUGUEGARAO, Cagayan — A police officer tagged as a leader of a kidnap gang escaped from police custody a day after he was arrested in Gonzaga, Cagayan on Oct.

Supt. Johnny Orme, former intelligence chief of Parañaque police, was being transported to the Cagayan Valley police office when he asked his custodians to allow him to go to his house to change clothes, according to a report received by Senior Supt. Warren Tolito, Cagayan police chief.

Chief Supt. Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley police director, who announced Orme’s arrest, ordered the relief of Chief Inspector Jayson Cabauatan, Gonzaga police chief, following the incident.

Cabauatan arrested Orme at a wharf in Barangay Callao in Gonzaga based on a warrant issued by Pasay City Regional Trial Court Judge Francisco Mendiola on Sept. 10.

Orme was charged for kidnapping and killing casino junket operator Carlos Tan last year.

Orme went absent without official leave after the death of four of his alleged cohorts, also police officers, in a follow-up operation after Tan was killed.

Tan and his driver were kidnapped along the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway in Parañaque on Oct. 21.

The kidnappers initially asked for P50 million, but later lowered it to P10 million.

The driver sought police assistance following his release in Tagaytay, Cavite shortly after Tan’s family lost communication with the kidnappers. Tan’s body was recovered along the Tagaytay road.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered an investigation into Orme’s escape.

“His escorts could have helped him escape. It needs to be investigated,” Albayalde told a press briefing in Manila.