7 of 9 Tondo jailbreakers recaptured; jail guards sacked
MANILA, Philippines — Seven of the nine inmates who escaped from custodial facility of Manila Police District’s (MPD) Station 1 in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday morning have been recaptured, while several jail guards have been relieved from their posts, authorities said.
Recaptured after follow up operations were Arnold Olino, MJ Tauzon, Jericho Andal Antipuesto, Albert Calayas, Gian Carlo Rayala, Adriano Zilmar and John Joseph Laguna, according to MPD.
Two remaining inmates, Master Cedric Zodiacal and Jefferson Tumbaga, are still being tracked down as of posting time, the police said.
According to the National Capital Region Police Office, initial investigation showed that detainees escaped after dismantling the iron grill on the side of the detention facility.
The MPD did not reveal the identities of the police personnel but said a number of custodial officers have already been administratively relieved from their posts to give way to the ongoing investigation.
In a separate interview with reporters, Manila Police District acting director Arnold Thomas Ibay said they are looking at the extent of “negligence” of some four police officers.
“We are looking at least four but as the investigation is ongoing baka pwedeng madagdagan pa or baka sila ang mafile-an ng administrative cases,” Ibay said.
The recaptured detainees were arrested in various parts of Metro Manila and are currently back in MPD Station 1’s custody as they undergo a debriefing interview to determine more details of their escape.
Ibay said they will continue inspecting MPD detention facilities and remind their personnel to avoid similar events.
