Manhunt on for 4 inmates who escaped from Tagum City jail

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines—Four inmates have escaped from the Tagum City Police Station (TCPS) cell here on Tuesday, authorities said.

A massive manhunt has been launched to recapture the detainees who bolted their detention cell inside the TCPS compound here before dawn, said Senior Supt. Samuel Gadingan, Davao del Norte police chief.

The inmates, who were charged with minor offenses, were able to break out of their cell as their police guard identified only as a certain Police Officer 3 Zafra was asleep, Mayor Allan Rellon said.

Supt. Antonio Rivera, spokesperson of the Southern Mindanao police regional office, identified the escapees as Ram John Gudin, Jasper Salas, and minors John and Rolby.

“I was informed of the incident around 7 a.m. Based on initial reports I got, the detainees saw off the lock and sneaked past the sleeping guard,” Rellon told the Philippine Daily Inquirer by mobile phone.

Using a hack saw, the detainees cut the chain inside their cell and dashed out of the police compound, Rivera said, quoting a report from Tagum PNP.

Gadingan said the duty jail guard has been relieved, and an investigation into the incident was underway.

One of the escapees is charged with illegal possession of firearms while the rest are facing light offenses, according to Rellon.

The mayor said this was not the first time inmates were able to escape from the detention facility, although he couldn’t recall when the first time was. SM