6 inmates bolt jail in Lanao Sur town

COTABATO CITY—Six inmates of a police lock-up cell in coastal Malabang town in Lanao del Sur escaped Wednesday, July 21.

Major Timothy Jim Romanillos, Malabang police chief, said that at past 3 a.m., several gunmen tried to attack the town’s police station but were repulsed.

The inmates took advantage of the situation and fled under darkness, Romanillos added.

“A manhunt had been launched,” Romanillos said over the phone.

He refused to name the escapees but said they were arrested mostly due to involvement in illegal drugs.

Malabang mayor Tomas Macapodi said he had directed village officials to help locate the escapees.

Macapodi also urged the parents and relatives of the escapees to facilitate their surrender.

The 5th Marine Battalion Landing Team troops are helping the police hunt for the escaped inmates.

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