3 inmates reported to have escaped from Samar jail

CATBALOGAN CITY – Three inmates reportedly broke out from their detention cell at the Samar Provincial Jail in Catbalogan City early Monday.

A jail employee, who requested anonymity, told Inquirer Visayas that the jailbreak happened between 12 midnight and 2 a.m. Monday.

The escapees, the source said, escaped by climbing the back portion of the compound wall. The source identified the escapees as Nonoy Cabugo, (convicted for murder), Ronnie Gonzaga (murder), and Erwin Cabrillas (highway robbery).

The source said the escapees were ”trusted inmates” who were doing an ”overlapping” duty from 12 midnight to 4 a.m.

The source added that there were no jail guards inside the compound when the jailbreak occurred.

Jail officials apparently did not immediately inform the police about the incident, the source said.

PSupt. Carlito Abriz, Chief of Catbalogan PNP, told Inquirer Visayas that they learned of the incidents through a phone call at 8:10 a.m. Monday by media practitioner Rommel Rutor of PYMS Aksyon Radyo.

Rutor, however, said he just called up the police station to inquire and verify a report he got about the jailbreak. It was not known where he got the information.

Abriz said an investigation is still ongoing.