7 prisoners escape from PDEA jail in Zamboanga City – PNP

Seven prisoners escaped from a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) jail facility in Zamboanga City early Monday morning, May 13, 2024, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Seven persons deprived of liberty escaped from a jail facility of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 9 in Zamboanga City early Monday morning, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.

In a press briefing, Fajardo said an on-duty guard noticed that the seven inmates were nowhere to be seen around 2:45 a.m.

“We were informed that the seven reportedly escaped. Around 2:45 a.m., when the incident happened, the duty guard observed that they were already gone. He immediately reported their disappearance,” Fajardo said.

READ: Dozens of prisoners escape Ecuador jail amid continued military operations

According to the PNP official, initial investigation showed that PDEA operatives found a hole in the jail’s ceiling which could have been the exit point of the seven inmates.

Fajardo said the PNP has formed tracker teams to help PDEA recapture the seven fugitives.