Hunt on for 16 jailbirds from Calbayog

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar—Policemen and soldiers are hunting down 16 inmates who bolted the city jail in Barangay Gadgaran here on Wednesday.

The inmates, facing various charges ranging from rape to murder, are armed with high-powered firearms that they took from jail guards and bladed weapons made of bamboo.

Supt. Elmer Cinco, Calbayog police chief, advised the public and barangay officials to be vigilant and report the presence of suspicious people in their communities.

He said all 87 inmates were at the visiting area for a Bible study around 9 a.m. when an inmate grabbed the 9-mm pistol of one of the jail guards.

Eight inmates ganged up on the jail guard while the others ransacked the guards’ quarters and were able to get two M-16 rifles and a shotgun.

They used the firearms to subdue the other jail guards.