MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is investigating reports that another high-profile inmate, Rolito Go, has also been making unauthorized trips outside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City. A day before former Batangas Governor Jose Antonio Leviste was arrested by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last May 18 for leaving the NBP without a permit, members of a NBP special investigation team allegedly foiled an attempt of Go to slip out of the compound. Go, who is serving life imprisonment for killing Eldon Maguan during a traffic altercation in San Juan in 1991, was on board his black Toyota Vios when he was flagged down at the main gate of the NBP. Inspector Eugene Ciruela, deputy chief of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) special investigation team, said Go told apprehending officers that he was going to the Makati Medical Center for a check-up. However, he failed to show a pass from authorities. Ciruela said they have received reports that Go frequently leaves the compound and goes to his lending business in Muntinlupa instead of going to the hospital. Ciruela said he once went to Go's office, Prime Consortium and Finance Corp., and inquired about getting a loan. He said one of Go's staff said he had just left. ABS-CBN News went to this office in Muntinlupa, but a staff denied Rolito Go was their boss. However, based on ABS-CBN's research at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Go's family owns Prime Consortium and Finance Corp.
Ciruela said he had reported this incident involving Go to former BuCor chief Ernesto Diokno. Diokno refused to comment about the incident saying he already quit his post.
BuCor officer-in-charge Manuel Co said Go may have had permission to go to the hospital since he is suffering from stage 3 colon cancer.
Co said a thorough investigation will be conducted regarding Go's case. -- report from Anthony Taberna
