NBP on lockdown after inmate escapes

MANILA, Philippines – The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) was put on temporary lockdown after an inmate escaped early yesterday.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II confirmed that inmate Manuel Paril Jr., who was convicted of homicide and frustrated homicide, escaped at around 12:30 a.m. from the control gate of the maximum security compound.

Aguirre immediately ordered an investigation to determine possible liabilities of prison guards for the incident in the supposedly most secured facility of the national penitentiary.

Records showed that Paril was supposed to be released this month after completing his sentence.

He was previously released on parole, but was brought back to the NBP after violating its conditions.

Because of the escape, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Benjamin delos Santos ordered the lockdown of the penitentiary.

“NBP is on temporary shutdown pending completion of search operations. There is a possibility escapee Paril is still within the prison grounds,” he explained in a text message.

Initial findings showed that Paril was at the control gate when he broke an access door to the second floor of the administration building.

A recovery team composed of seven custodial personnel was tapped for this purpose. No update has been given to the media as of press time.

Delos Santos also revealed that they have started the probe to determine how the inmate was able to escape.

Paril is considered second most wanted person in Quezon province.

While he was about to complete his sentence for the homicide and frustrated homicide cases, the inmate is still facing two counts of rape in Gumaca, Quezon.

Authorities have sought his transfer from the NBP to the jail in Gumaca while standing trial for the rape cases.

But the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 207 that sentenced Paril in his earlier cases did not grant the bid of authorities, citing lack of jurisdiction on the matter.

Paril was brought back to the NBP for safekeeping.