Shoot-on-sight order given for escaped inmates

DIGOS CITY, Philippines—Authorities said Friday they have issued shoot-to-kill orders against nine inmates, led by a purported Moro Islamic Liberation Front commander, who bolted the Davao del Sur provincial jail here on Thursday.

Dionisio Espinosa, provincial jail warden, said provincial jail personnel and policemen have been told to fire on the escapees on sight.  The escapees were identified as the Malita-based MILF commander Ghalib Dela Cruz, Alexander Villa Gracia, Caloy Cabactolan, Mat Vincent Narit, Jerry Masaglang, Jessie Ando, Magpor Omandac, Nelson Fortunato, and Romelito Sumelhig.

The escaped inmates were considered dangerous persons, with cases ranging from murder to trading in illegal drugs, Espinosa said.

Senior Supt. Ronaldo Llanera, provincial police director, said the latest information they got about the inmates was that they were in the boundary between Digos and Hagonoy town.

He said an investigation into the jailbreak, which occurred early Thursday morning, was continuing and that the four jail personnel on duty at the time had been relieved of their posts.

Espinosa said the prisoners escaped by sawing off grills at the back of their detention cell, which they shared with five other inmates. The other inmates, who were not named, stayed behind.