MANILA, Philippines — A member of an urban poor group was detained at the police station for hours yesterday after he helped rush a suspect to the hospital who reportedly escaped from a drug sting in Navotas.

The family of “Bentong,” a member of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, asked for help after the 17-year-old was forced to admit being a cohort of drug suspect Allan Tremotcha.

Tremotcha escaped. Another suspect, Edmundo Sedonio, 25, was killed in a sting in Barangay Northbay Boulevard North.

According to the minor’s father Ronar, Bentong was on his way home when he chanced upon a bleeding Tremotcha.

The teenager was among four persons who helped rush Tremotcha to the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Police arrested those who helped Tremotcha.

Bentong was released from detention at around 4:30 p.m. yesterday.

“Nagmagandang loob lang yung bata. Bakit ganun ang ginawa nila?” the minor’s relative said.

Bentong said he was not hurt by police. But he was placed in handcuffs because probers did not believe he was a minor.