South Cotabato cops hunting five inmates who bolted jail

COTABATO CITY – Police authorities in Koro-nadal City have launched a massive manhunt against five inmates who were arrested for illegal drug pushing and bolted the police lock-up cell Monday dawn.

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

Supt. Jose Briones Jr, South Cotabsato police provincial director, said initial investigation showed that Police Officer (PO2) Teofilo Toledo accidentally fall asleep which the detainees took advantage of and jumped out to freedom before 3 a.m. Monday. All the suspects were arrested during police drug buy bust operations in Purok Kings, Barangay General Paulino Santos, Koronadal City early this year.

Briones was fuming mad after learning the incident and immediately ordered the relief of PO2 Toledo and subject him to investigation.

“We are still investigating further, 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.

From all indications, the five suspects had plotted their grand escape long before by slowly and quietly sawing off the iron grill of the detention facility’s roofing.

PO2 Toledo told Briones he had conducted a head count at about 1 a.m. and by 3 a.m. he discovered the damaged ceiling of the detention cell.

Briones said the relatives should help the suspects surrender otherwise the law will run after them. “They are wanted now by the law, the case against them will become harder for them because they escape,” he said, adding that the only persons who can help fast the authorities to bring them back to jail are their immediate relatives. (PNA)