MANILA, Philippines - Six inmates, described as armed and dangerous, bolted the Cagayan provincial jail early yesterday morning after grabbing the guns of their jail guards.
Senior Superintendent Mao Aplasca, Cagayan police director, identified the escapees as Vincent Badajos, Jong Romero, Kevin Chua, Christopher Tasi, Harris Tasi, and Agustin Kawilan.
Aplasca described the escapees as “hardened criminals responsible for various heinous crimes and are armed and dangerous.”
Cagayan Gov. Alvaro Antonio offered a P100,000 reward for the re-arrest of each of the jailbreakers.
Aplasca said initial investigation showed that the jailbreak took place at around 6:45 a.m. yesterday as the jail guards were conducting their routine morning inspection.
As the jail guards opened their cell, the six inmates poked a handgun at them, grabbed the keys of the detention cell, and locked them up. Then they boarded a tricycle.
Aplasca said joint police and jail teams are now conducting manhunt and dragnet operations to re-arrest the escapees. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Raymund Catindig