Man falls over Manila City Jail’s fence, prompting prisoners’ head count

This photo provided by the Manila City Jail shows the man who fell over the prison facility’s fence that caused tension early Thursday morning, March 14, 2024. The man, who was intoxicated according to jail authorities, sustained minor injuries and was treated in the jail’s clinic.

MANILA, Philippines — A man from a settlement adjacent to the Manila City Jail caused tension inside the prison facility when he fell over its fence early Thursday morning.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the man was intoxicated and was hanging his clothes on the window of his residence when he tripped.

“It was around 4:46 this morning, March 14. Our duty officers were surprised that something fell inside the jail compound, it was an informal settler,” BJMP spokesperson Jayrex Joseph Bustinera told INQUIRER.net in Filipino during a phone interview.

“Because the informal settlers are just nearby… even higher than the fence of the Manila City Jail.” he continued.

This photo provided by the Manila City Jail shows the man who fell over the prison facility’s fence that caused tension early Thursday morning, March 14, 2024. The man, who was intoxicated according to jail authorities, sustained minor injuries and was treated in the jail’s clinic.

READ: Man falls from ceiling after attempting to escape jail

The BJMP did not name the man and only said he sustained minor injuries. It also said that the man was treated in the city jail’s clinic.

“However, it caused an alarm inside the jail. To be sure, for the due diligence, they conducted a head count early morning just to be sure that he is not a prisoner,” Bustinera also said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Manila City Jail personnel eventually confirmed the identity of the man with the help of barangay officers.