Killed were Anton Gumayon, 38, and Pitong Balagasi, 30.
A third inmate, Mateo Landeng, was able to escape and is now being hunted by police.
Reports reaching Camp Crame said three police guards on duty — Senior Police Officer 1 Gerardo Tumulak, Police Officer 3 Benjie Horlador and Police Officer 1 Jaime Fulgino — were on routine inspection when they saw the three inmates outside their cells.
One of the policemen fired a warning shot, but the three detainees ignored it and ran, prompting the police guards to fire at them.The report did not say how the detainees were able to get out of their cells.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes has ordered security tightened in city and municipal jails nationwide during Holy Week in response to an escape attempt by Abu Sayyaf detainees at the Metro Manila District Jail in Bicutan Taguig two weeks ago.
"Don’t leave anything to chance," he said. "All district, city and municipal jail officials and personnel should double their effort in insuring the security of their jails during the holidays."
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) director Arturo Alit ordered his regional directors not to allow jail guards to go on leave during the holidays.
The BJMP has control over all city and municipal jails nationwide, including the Metro Manila District Jail, but the PNP also operates its own detention facilities, like the one in Davao City. — Cecille Suerte Felipe