By CESAR JOLITO III

The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered an intensified manhunt operation for an escaped detainee from police custody in Negros Occidental’s E.B. Magalona town.

Eduardo Sadia, also known as “Bebeng,” 58 years old, a fisherman and resident of Barangay Tuburan’s Sitio Panaosawon in the town, was reported to have fled while under police custody earlier this week, police said.

PRO-NIR Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay directed the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to immediately conduct province-wide dragnet operations and deploy investigation and intelligence units to assist E.B. Magalona police are recapturing Sadia, who is facing qualified rape charges.

Ibay also announced the tightening of security protocols in all custodial facilities across Negros Occidental and the entire region to prevent similar incidents.

He placed the ongoing operations under strict command oversight to ensure accountability and coordinated efforts among police units.

“The Police Regional Office is exerting all efforts for the swift rearrest of Sadia. Corrective measures are already in place, and our units across the region remain fully mobilized to protect public safety and maintain order,” Ibay said in a statement.

Authorities are urging the public to report any information on Sadia’s whereabouts to the nearest police station.

The municipal police station offered a P20,000 reward for information leading to his recapture./CJ, WDJ