PRO-7 prepares for chances jail escapees will head to Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of Police Regional Office-7 have been communicating with their counterparts in North Cotabato after last Wednesday's jailbreak to be prepared in case escapees will head to Cebu.

"We expect to receive information as to kinsa to'ng naka-escape basin naa'y taga Cebu, para at least we can help to locate these escapees nga masaag dinhi," said PRO-7 Deputy Regional Director for Operations, Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas.

Last Wednesday dawn more than 100 gunmen attacked the North Cotabato District Jail in Kidapawan, leading to the escape of the 158 inmates and resulted in the death of five inmates, one jail guard, and a barangay kagawad tagged to be the leader of the armed group.

Based on reports, 43 escapees have already been recaptured.

Lawas said they have already alerted the different police stations particularly those in the southern part of Cebu, which is a possible access point for the escapees to enter the province.

Once they will have the pictures of the escapees, Lawas said they will be providing the media as well as the public so they can provide information to the police if they happen to see these individuals. 

For his part, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III thinks that the incident at the Kidapawan City Jail could not possibly happen at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

"Of course, di nato gusto nga ang nahitabo sa Kidapawan mahitabo sab sa ato, pero sa akong bana-bana, akong pangagpas, mura'g di man tingali. Secured man atong CPDRC," Davide said.

Davide assures the public that the security at the CPDRC is tight and that the inspection systems are working as how they should.

But the governor reminded the CPDRC authorities that they should not be complacent and should stay vigilant at all times.

"I understand nga sa Kidapawan, mga rebelde man to'ng ni sulong didto. Wa man ta ana diri sa Cebu," he said, "pero di gyud ta magkompyansa, magbantay ta kanunay."

Davide added that it is the responsibility of the CPDRC management to keep the security of the center on track and they have to make sure that there could be no possible jail attack or escape.

Davide trusts that Dr. Gil Macatu, the acting assistant jail warden of CPDRC, has the initiative to smoothly implement necessary measures, without needing to be asked or reminded.

"I have not yet talked with Dr. Macatu regarding this issue but Dr. Macatu always has the initiative, and he'll do everything necessary para ang mahitabo didto sa Kidapawan, di mahitabo sa provincial jail," said Davide, adding that he hopes the same incident will never happen in Cebu. (FREEMAN)