5 drug suspects escape from Koronadal City jail; guard sacked

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Five inmates who were arrested for illegal drug pushing here outsmarted a police officer from the Koronadal City lock-up cell early Monday.

Those who made their way out from a crowded detention facility were Amarudin Kansang Salipada, Muhamedin Kansang Salipada,Osmena Midtawan Mamasalanao, Manalos Mamasalanao Sandigan and Nelson Labungan.

Reports said that Police Officer 2 Teofilo Toledo was sleeping on the job when the detainees escaped at 3 a.m. Monday.

All the suspects were arrested in police drug buy-bust operations in Purok Kings, Barangay General Paulino Santos, Koronadal City early this year.

Supt. Jose Briones Jr, South Cotabato police provincial director, was fuming mad after learning of the jailbreak.

He immediately ordered the relief of Toledo and subjected him to an investigation.

“We are still investigating. I have ordered a massive manhunt and I appeal to the relatives of the detainees to help bring them back to detention facility and defend their cases in court,” Briones told reporters.

Initial investigation disclosed that the five suspects had planned their grand escape long before by slowly and quietly sawing off the iron grill of the detention facility’s roofing.

Briones said Toledo had conducted a head count at about 1 a.m. and by 3 a.m. he discovered the damaged ceiling of the detention cell.