11 inmates bolt jail in Cotabato

MANILA, Philippines - Five months after the bloody attempt to spring him out of jail in Kidapawan, Datukan Samad – alias Lastikman – and 10 other inmates bolted the provincial jail in Cotabato City, which serves as a detention facility for Maguindanao, by sawing off the iron grills of the prison toilet before dawn yesterday.

Aside from Samad, authorities identified the other escapees as Anwar Maguid, Dahad Daginan, Abel Unsing, Kegkim Omar, Bong Usop, Siki Pilas, Ogie Kimbaw, Ampoy Kimbaw, Saipuna Baulo and Basco Puas.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., head of the Police Community Relations Group (PCRG), said the group escaped the Maguindanao Provincial Jail located at PC Hill, Cotabato City at around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Investigators are now checking how Samad’s group managed to bring in a hacksaw and why guards of the provincial jail failed to detect the weapon during inspection.

Last Feb. 19, around 50 unidentified heavily armed men assaulted the Kidapawan district jail in a bid to rescue Samad, a detained Maguindanao-based bandit leader.

Police said the foiled rescue incident resulted in the death of three civilians including a Red Cross volunteer, while 16 others were injured including fire and jail personnel.

Marine troops deployed for anti-kidnapping duties in Cotabato City were dispatched to help track down Samad and the other escapees.

Col. Prudencio Asto, spokesman for the 6th Infantry Division based in Awang, Maguindanao, tagged Samad as the head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) Special Operations Group (SOG), who are behind high-profile crimes like kidnapping for ransom, multiple murder, bombings and extortion activities and other related high-profile crimes in Central Mindanao.

The MILF leadership has disowned him and denied military reports that he and his men are under direct control of the MILF’s 108th Base Command.

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said the Department of Justice has already requested the Supreme Court to allow the transfer of the hearing of the high-risk cases pending before the regional trial courts of Cotabato to other venues.

He said the arrangement to relocate the high-risk inmates was sought by the Kidapawan City Peace and Order Council through a resolution.

Robredo also expressed his desire for all local jails managed by various local government units (LGUs) to be placed under the control and supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), which has the capability, technical know-how, equipment and trained personnel to manage them. – With Jaime Laude, John Unson, AP