COTABATO CITY – Preventive measures have been implemented to prevent further jailbreaks at the Maguindanao Provincial Jail in Barangay Rosary Heights 1, this city, an official said Saturday.
Lawyer Bobby Katambak, acting provincial jail warden, said the jailbreak that led to the escape of some inmates more than a month ago will never happen again.
“Stricter security measures and renovation of cells have been set in place,” Katambak told reporters.
On May 24, seven inmates bolted out, but one of them, Michael Balitoc, a murder detainee, was killed by jail guards for resisting recapture. The jailbreak took place as jail authorities were preparing the day’s pre-dawn meal for the Ramadan fasting inside the prison facility.
Six of the escapees, identified as Dantes Sandigan Kadatuan, Golly Mangandong, Sindatok Ampatua, Sadam Lucas, Ameludin Maliga and Turac Sabal, remain the subject of manhunt by authorities.
The escape led to the relief of jail guards and the appointment of new jail officers, along with Katambak who was named by Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu to institute reforms and safety measures.
“A manhunt remains in effect against the escapees,” Katambak said, adding that appeals were also sent to relatives of the fugitives to help bring them back to jail.
Mangudadatu, in a separate interview, said jail officials are following up leads and hoping the escapees will soon be returned to the provincial jail. He reiterated his earlier call for the escapees to reconsider returning to jail “because they are unsafe outside.”
“The safety of the escapees is not guaranteed when they are outside because relatives of the offended party might get back at them,” Mangudadatu said. The governor has earlier offered a PHP250,000 reward for the recapture of the escapees. (PNA)
