An inmate facing frustrated murder charges escaped from the Cebu City jail in barangay Kalunasan at past 3 a.m. yesterday.
The 24-year-old inmate named Arnel Beralde escaped by climbing the second perimeter fence of the facility, said Insp. Manuel dela Peña, deputy warden. The escape was recorded by security cameras.
Dela Peña admitted that he noticed a loud thud on the roof at dawn yesterday and later concluded that it may have been caused by Beralde before he landed on the ground.
“Gilipat lipat niya ang mga gwardiya (He fooled the guards),” said Dela Peña.
Beralde, who was jailed since Nov. 1 for frustrated murder charges, is a resident of Alaska, barangay Mambaling in Cebu City.
Dela Peña said Beralde climbed over the first perimeter fence and hid at a nipa hut inside the prison compound.
He said the inmate waited awhile before climbing and jumping off the second perimeter fence to freedom.
Operations to recapture the inmate are ongoing. Jail guards who were on duty at the time will also be investigated, said Dela Peña.
Last October, a murder suspect escaped detention from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).
Renante “Bolatik” dela Rosa made good his escape before the jail guards conducted a head count at past 6 p.m.
Dela Rosa supposedly escaped by jumping out of the kitchen area.
Jail officer Eugenio Abarca said the prisoner was believed to have ditched his orange uniform during the escape.
A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team from the Cebu City police assisted in the search. Dela Rosa remains at large. Correspondent Chito Aragon with a report from Correspondent Edison delos Angeles