Inmate escapes Cebu City Jail

CEBU, Philippines - An inmate of the Cebu City Jail escaped detention dawn yesterday.

The runaway was identified as Arnel Beralde, 24, of Ybañez Compound, Sitio Alaska, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City. He was placed behind bars just last November 21, 2011 for frustrated homicide charges.

Sixteen guards were on duty when Beralde escaped at around 3:45 a.m.

Insp. Manuel Dela Peña, Deputy Warden for Operations, told The FREEMAN that Beralde took advantage of his petite size, which made it easier for him to hide in the huts inside the jail until he reached the second perimeter fence. He then climbed over the seven-meter perimeter fence to freedom. Beralde was detained at the city jail’s main building.

“Mitago siya sa mga bahay kubo,” Dela Peña said.

Dela Peña said that Beralde’s escape was caught on camera.

Dela Peña said he actually noticed Beralde before the inmate jumped off the fence when the aluminum roof attached the wall creaked. He immediately sounded the alarm and ordered his men to run after Beralde who had already gone to the woods.

“Ako siya namatikdan ang iyang pagtakas kay mitingog man ang sin. Pagtambo nako, mao pud iyang pagtugpa sa yuta,” Dela Peña said.

“Gigukod sa ako mga tawo, apan baga man ang kakahu-yan mao nga wala na namo naabtan,” he added

During the manhunt operation yesterday, authorities apprehended a man in Barangay Labangon who reportedly looked like Beralde, but it turned out to be a mistaken identity.

“False alarm to, pag-fingerprint namo, di man diay siya – anggid ra..but naa name gi-sunod nga lead karon kun asa siya,” Dela Peña said.

Recently, the city jail was also reported to be home of a local drug lord who continues to operate even if he is inside the jail.   Based on intelligence report by the police, the said drug lord communicates with his cohorts through cellular phones which are prohibited inside the penitentiary. Earlier this week, police apprehended Sawaib Magondacan Sultan who is alleged to be one of the drug lord’s cohorts. Sultan was arrested with 25 grams of shabu worth P150,000 in Barangay Mabolo.  (FREEMAN)