- Drug suspect escapes from DCPO cell
AUTHORITIES launched a manhunt after a high-profile drug suspect escaped from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) custodial facility at Camp Domingo Leonor in the early hours of Thursday, Feb. 5.
In the aftermath of the incident, DCPO acting director Col. Mannan Muarip ordered the relief of six police officers, including the chief of the City Investigation and Management Unit (CIMU) and three jail guards.
The escapee was identified as Alfred Ismael Magallanes Matute, 34, a resident of Deca Homes, Mintal. Matute was listed as the top four city-level high-value individual.
He was arrested on Dec. 21, 2025, for the sale and possession of illegal drugs under sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165.
According to Muarip, the escape occurred at dawn on Feb. 5, but was only discovered at 7:15 a.m. during a prisoner count.
“It was discovered during the inspection conducted by the duty officer of the day. Upon review of the CCTV, we saw the escape happened around 2 a.m.,” Muarip said.
CCTV footage revealed that Matute hid in a blind spot of the cell to evade the guards’ notice. He then climbed to the second floor, used the stairs, and exited through an area currently under construction.
“There is construction in the area with temporary tarpaulins. He passed through there. If he had passed through the main entrance, he would have been noticed by the camp’s security detail,” Muarip explained.
Muarip admitted that the facility had structural weaknesses that the suspect exploited. “A determined person can climb from the ground to the second floor. I have already ordered an appropriate design to strengthen the structure, and materials are being purchased to finish the improvements within the week,” he added.
Administrative fallout and investigation
The six personnel relieved and placed in the DCPO holding center are:
- Three custodial duty personnel (jail guards)
- The officer of the day
- The senior duty officer
- The chief of the Investigation and Detection Management Unit
“We are conducting a thorough investigation. We have formed a Special Escapee Detainee Investigation Team led by the deputy city director for operations,” Muarip said. He also hinted at potential collusion, stating that they are looking into one detention personnel who may have been an “instrument” or “consented” to the escape.
“To Alfred Magallanes Ismael Matute, it is better for you to surrender to the nearest police station. I encourage your relatives to convince you to come in. Nothing bad will happen if you surrender, but the manhunt continues. If you resist arrest, we cannot guarantee your safety,” Muarip stated.
