Arroyo upset by Jalosjos 'escape'; orders probe

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was irked upon learning that former Rep. Romeo Jalosjos managed to walk out of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City last weekend amid an investigation into the impasse arising from an earlier order for his release, dzRH radio reported Monday. The report quoted Executive Sec. Eduardo Ermita as saying that President Arroyo was upset that authorities were clueless about the Jalosjos’ exit from prison until it was reported on television Saturday night. Ermita said President Arroyo told Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez to find out who helped Jalosjos escape from the national penitentiary last Saturday. He said Arroyo also ordered Gonzalez to get to the bottom of the “escape," especially those inside the penitentiary who helped Jalosjos walk out. Jalosjos, insisting he is a free man because his release orders are valid, walked out of the penitentiary Saturday and left for Dapitan City aboard a private plane. But he was rearrested and brought to the Zamboanga Penal Colony after he “agreed" to turn himself in to a team of police and National Bureau of Investigation agents. Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon Jr on Sunday said security has been tightened for Jalosjos at the Zamboanga Penal Colony, saying police units from the Western Mindanao (Region 9) regional police force are helping guard the former lawmaker. “Naghanda ang Police Regional Office 9, at magagampanan nila ang pag-secure sa presence ni former Congressman Jalosjos sa Zamboanga Penal Colony (Our personnel from Regional Police Office 9 are ready to secure the former congressman at the Zamboanga Penal Colony)," he said. He said there is no advice yet from the DOJ on when Jalosjos would be brought back to the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City. “Di muna siya ibabalik sa Muntinlupa (He won’t be brought back to Muntinlupa, at least not yet)," Razon said when asked if Jalosjos would immediately be brought back to the national penitentiary. - GMANews.TV