A 50-year-old woman, arrested in a drug buy-bust operation, made a daring escape from police custody in Iloilo City but was later recaptured while eating barbecue at the Iloilo Central Market.
The suspect, Jennifer Marifosque, initially detained at the Molo Police Station, used a clever distraction to flee.
According to Police Captain Ryan Christ Inot, Marifosque had requested to use the restroom on the station’s second floor, citing nausea.
A male officer escorted her but allowed her to close the door for privacy out of respect for her gender.
Marifosque then used a chair to climb out of the restroom window, turned on the faucet to mislead the officer, and jumped from the second floor to make her escape.
“She jumped directly from the second floor. We were shocked that a 50-year-old could pull that off,” Inot said.
Authorities immediately launched a manhunt and tracked her movements through CCTV, spotting her briefly entering a mall before leaving.
Later that evening, Iloilo City Police Director Colonel Kim Legada informed Mayor Jerry Treñas of her recapture at the market.
Mayor Treñas commended the police for their swift action and directed the City Engineer’s Office to install iron bars on the police station restroom windows to prevent similar incidents.
“I instructed the city engineer to secure the windows. Congratulations to our PNP for their efforts,” the mayor said.
In connection with the operation, Marifosque’s accomplice, 29-year-old Arien Cadiz De La Peña, was also arrested.
De La Peña, who worked as a job hire in the Beautification Division of the Iloilo City Government, was immediately terminated.
Mayor Treñas emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for employees involved in illegal activities and announced plans to implement random drug testing for all city employees starting next year.
“This incident underscores our commitment to integrity and a drug-free community. We will ensure that the city government operates with the highest standards,” he stated.
Police said the suspects were caught in possession of approximately 120 grams of suspected shabu, valued at ₱816,000.
