Two minors bolt Malabuyoc jail

CEBU, Philippines - Two detained minors charged with robbery have escaped from Malabuyoc Police Station’s stockade past 3 a.m. on Friday by destroying the padlock of the prison cell without being noticed by personnel on duty.

The minors aged 17 and 15 are facing a case of robbery filed before Regional Trial Court Branch 62 in Oslob town.

Senior Police Officer 2 Edward Villarte, desk officer of Malabuyoc Police Station, said when the duty officers checked the prison cell, the padlock was already broken and the prisoners missing.

The officers on duty that time were PO2 Ronnel Allera, desk officer and jailer, team leader SPO3 Mario Paler, and alert personnel PO3 Joselito Perellano, PO1 Edward Sagun and PO1 Elmer Grengia. 

SPO2 Villarte said based on his colleagues’ statements, they have not given enough attention to the prisoners because they were minors.

But past 3 a.m. that day, they were shocked when they found out that the prisoners were gone.

The police officers made a hot pursuit operation to locate and capture the escapees but as of press time yesterday, they have not arrested them. 

SPO2 Villarte said the officers on duty were ordered to prepare a written explanation why the minors have bolted out of prison.  (FREEMAN)