Security up in South Cotabato jail after inmates tried to escape
KORONADAL CITY, Philippines—Security was being tightened at the South Cotabato Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (SCPDRC) after it was discovered that some inmates had attempted to bolt out of jail with the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance Fuentes said Friday she has directed jail officials to strictly enforce jail policies on visitors while investigation was ongoing as to who was behind the bomb-making activities inside South Cotabato’s largest prison facility.
The facility houses more than 700 inmates—way above its capacity of about 400 detainees.
Several improvised bombs were found inside the compound after the May 9 national elections but jail guards could not determine how the devices ended up inside.
Jail officials believed jailed bombing suspects could be behind the bomb-making activity and had planned to escape on election day while security officials were busy.
Fuentes said the high-profile inmates, including bombers, kidnappers, drug syndicate members and notorious robbery gang members, are detained at the facility in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
Visiting hours for relatives of detainees have been suspended until stricter security programs are put in place. RAM/rga
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