13 inmates try to escape from jail in Surigao, 4 dead

Four inmates were killed after they allegedly tried to escape from the Lianga District Jail in Surigao del Sur Sunday morning.

According to Jail Supt. Bernie Ruiz, Assistant Regional Director for Administration and Operations of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Caraga, the escape attempt occurred while on duty jail personnel was serving breakfast.

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The suspects allegedly grabbed jail personnel who was supposed to open the cell gate to give their food.

Ruiz strongly believes that the escape attempt was planned.

“Bigla nilang ginawa na bilang isang pagkakataon na i-overrun ‘yung secondary gate ng jail natin, mayroon naman tayong nakabantay doon. Hindi inaasahan ‘yung personnel natin na naka-post doon sa secondary gate ay na-overrun ng limang PDL na may dala-dalang ice pick at natutukan yung JO1 Trainee Rebuyo natin at kasama rin ‘yung personnel natin na si JO1 Trimidal,” said Ruiz.

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(Suddenly, they did that as an opportunity to overrun the secondary gate of our jail. We had someone on guard there. Then, unexpectedly, our personnel posted there at the secondary gate were overrun by five PDLs carrying ice picks, and our JO1 Trainee Rebuyo was spotted and our personnel JO1 Trimidal.)

13 inmates try to escape from jail in Surigao, 4 dead

There was a commotion, and personnel in the tower saw it firing a warning shot. The inmates allegedly still attacked despite this.

A jail officer pointed a gun at the three inmates while the suspects held a trainee and regular personnel hostage. They exchanged gunfire after an inmate grabbed the gun of jail personnel they had taken hostage.

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Four inmates were killed while another was injured.

Ruiz admitted there was a security problem at the Lianga District Jail. Last week, they dispatched six personnel and issued new high-powered firearms due to inmates’ escape attempts.

The four dead were suspected members of the New People’s Army, while the others had charges of murder, kidnap for ransom, rape, and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

The jail is currently on red alert status due to the incident. The other inmates involved in the escape attempt have also been isolated to avoid gaining more sympathy from other inmates.

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