Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio de los Reyes is offering a cash reward of P250,000 for the capture of controversial escapee Exequiel Aniscal. There is a catch though: she wants him alive. “The reward will not be given in the event that he is killed,” she disclosed. Aniscal escaped with two other inmates from the Bohol Detention Jail (BDJ) last May 17 at gunpoint. His two companions, Mario Ilaya of Tamboan, Carmen and Bryan Ceniza of Napo, Inabanga, both 23 years old, were shot and killed by pursuers in Ubay town last May 22. Aniscal, 55, a native of San Vicente, Maribojoc, the suspected brains of the escape, however, remains at large.

Callers of a radio program were the first to express concern that Aniscal and his companions were allowed to escape to go after critics of the present administration. The provincial government continues to be involved in the BDJ operations, paying 20 regular personnel and 57 casual workers who are detailed at the jail. Tagbilaran Mayor Dan first revealed that Aniscal has a sister who works as an administrative aide at the Capitol specifically at the Internal Affairs Office under Engr. Gabino Redulla, a former mayor of Maribojoc town. This was confirmed by Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II who defended Aniscal’s sister whom he claimed has not been in touch with her brother for a long time. Damalerio made the confirmation during Chatto’s weekly program, “Kita Ug Ang Gobernador”. Lim also alleged that Aniscal’s father was a trusted man of former MP Eladio Chatto, the governor’s father.

Mayor Che said the highly suspicious escape, the continued liberty of Aniscal and the confirmation from Damalerio makes a strong case for the plot bared by concerned citizens. While the lady mayor said she has taken precautionary measures as a result, she said Aniscal’s capture is increasingly becoming urgent. She said there are reports that there are orders to liquidate Aniscal to keep him from spilling the beans. “The reward for his capture alive is intended to preserve his life from those who want to silence him, whoever they are,” the lady mayor added. At the same time, she joined Lim in expressing dismay at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) for its indifference on the escape. Lim had written the Visayas Ombudsman on the SP’s failure to take action on the escape as a supplement to his complaint against the majority members who sought for his investigation over the Zest Air incident last December. Mayor Che said she believes that if Aniscal is recaptured and tells on what he knows, the information that he will give will be worth the reward she is offering. “It is a sacrifice on my part but it is a sacrifice worth making for the cause of truth and justice,” she added.