TAGUM CITY, Philippines -- The police chief of Mati town, Davao Oriental was relieved Monday following the escape of three prisoners from the town police detention center before dawn Saturday, an official said Monday.

Senior Inspector Candido Suralta and a jail officer are being investigated for lapses and possible filing of criminal and administrative charges, said Chief Inspector Querubin Manalang, spokesman for the Southern Mindanao regional police based in Davao City.

One of the escapees was killed during pursuit operations and two others have remained at large, Manalang said.

In a cell phone interview Monday, Suralta admitted that "some lapses had been committed" and accepted responsibility for the incident.

Manalang and Suralta identified the slain inmate as Lito Patigdas alias Kabang who was facing robbery, carnapping and homicide charges in Mati, Panabo City, in Davao del Norte and other areas in the region.

Manalang said the three escaped through their cell's ceiling.

Suralta said the sentry posted outside the facility noticed a portion of the roof was destroyed so he alerted Police Officer Abdim Pintasan, who had allegedly dozed off, to do the head count of the prisoners.

"When they noticed three prisoners were missing, our personnel launched pursuit operation and tracked down Patigdas," Suralta said.

The police official said the escapee was cornered by lawmen in Sitio (sub-village) Bigi, Barangay (village) Badas at around 5 a.m. and was shot when he allegedly resisted arrest.

"Patigdas was shot in the leg but he continued resisting so he was hit in the body," Suralta said, adding the slain inmate was armed with a piece of wood when killed.

He said Patigdas was detained in the said facility since November 25.

"The remaining escapees have sent surrender feelers to us through their relatives. I was making follow-up in this case when the relief order came," Suralta said.

"I was not given a chance to finish the negotiations for the other escapees' surrender as I was relieved already," he said.