PNP eyes changes in Custodial Center after De Lima hostage-taking incident

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Monday said changes will be implemented in the PNP Custodial Center personnel following Sunday's hostage-taking of former Senator Leila de Lima.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Azurin admitted that there was a "lapse" that led to the incident, particularly noting that Police Corporal Roger Agustin was alone and unarmed when he delivered food to persons under police custody (PUPCs).

“Definitely, nagkaroon ng lapse diyan dahil nga nakita kasi nila na 'yung nagpapakain, pagpasok niya, mag-isa siya and then unarmed siya,” he said.

(Definitely, there was a lapse because the PUPCs saw that the police officer delivering food was alone and unarmed.)

“So they saw the opportunity na if they can attack itong pulis natin, they might have the means na makatakas sa custodial kasi it's a very early morning,” he added.

(So they saw the opportunity that if they could attack this police officer, they might have the means to escape because it's a very early in the morning.)

Agustin was stabbed with an improvised knife by three PUPCs identified as Arnel Cabintoy, Idang Susukan, and Feliciano Sulayao Jr. Cabintoy and Susukan were immediately neutralized while Sulayao ran to De Lima’s room and took her hostage.

Headquarters Support Service Director Police Colonel Mark Pespes was able to neutralize Sulayao during a negotiation.

Azurin said the PNP will study the environment of the Custodial Center and make changes for detainees to be safer.

Because the improvised knives used by the suspects were metal forks, Azurin said the PNP will avoid providing utensils to detainees that can be used as weapons.

“This is one of the considerations that we will do. Pag-aaralan ulit natin kung ano 'yung surroundings, environment diyan sa Custodial, and then we'll ensure na medyo mas safer 'yung mga naka-detain diyan,” he said. —KBK, GMA News