Hunt on for three inmates who fled Bukidnon town jail

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Authorities are now hunting down three inmates who escaped from a jail in Manolo Fortich town, Bukidnon province on Wednesday night (June 2).

The inmates were identified by police as Jimson Devara, 25, and Rogue Batuigas, 35, both of Libona town, and Benjie Orias, 28, of Manolo Fortich town.

According to Maj. Noel Cano, Manolo Fortich municipal police chief, the cases of the three escaped inmates are still being heard in court.

Devara is accused of violating the law on possession of firearms and ammunition. Orias is facing a homicide charge while Batuigas, qualified rape and acts of lasciviousness.

The town jail in Tankulan village is run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

A police report said the jailbreak was discovered at around 10:45 p.m.

Cano said the jail guards noticed that three of the inmates were missing during the evening headcount, prompting them to issue a flash alarm. Immediately, a combined force of police and BJMP personnel tracked down the inmates.

Cano added that police informants told them there were three men asking for directions in getting to Tikala, one of the villages in Manolo Fortich town.