COTABATO CITY–An inmate was killed while six others escaped following a predawn jailbreak at the Maguindanao Provincial jail (MPJ) located at Pedro Colina Hill here on Thursday.
MPJ Administrator Almanza Malicol identified the lone fatality in the 2 a.m. breakout incident as Michael Tungkayo Balitoc, jailed for a murder case.
“The jail guards fired warning shots but Balitoc, who was the last one to bolt out ignored it, prompting the pursuing team to shoot him,” Malicol said.
The escapees who are now the subject of an ongoing manhunt are Dante Sandigan Kadatuan, Guli Utba Mangandong, Sindatuk Ampatua alias Sinda Pendaliday, Saddam Lucan Montani, Aminodin Maliga, and Turagsak Sabal.
“All six who remain at-large have cases ranging from illegal drugs, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and frustrated homicide, among others,” Malicol said.
The seven inmates were assigned to prepare for the “suhoor”, a pre-dawn breaking of the fast for the Ramadan, at the facility’s eating quarters when they managed to bolt out by tinkering with the jail’s main locks.
Senior Supt. Rolly Octavio, city police director, said road checkpoints were immediately set up at strategic sections of the city following the incident.
“We are on alert to help the MPJ personnel bring back to jail the escapees soonest,” he said.
Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu has offered a PHP250,000 reward for the recapture of the escapees. (Noel Punzalan/PNA)
