Manila City Jail warden sacked

The warden of the Manila City Jail (MCJ) in Sta. Cruz, Manila, was unceremoniously sacked yesterday following the escape of two Chinese female drug pushers early Monday morning.

Superintendent Romeo Ogoy was replaced yesterday as MCJ warden by Superintendent Norvel Mingoa following the alleged escape of Chua Rong Rong and Lim Tuy Lim.

Mingoa told reporters that the two female inmates sawed off the iron bars of their cell and scaled the 14-foot walls of the prison using blankets tied together and a step ladder which was suspiciously placed near the cell window. The inmates then clambered down the ladder and ran towards Rizal Avenue.

Reports said the absence of the two women was only discovered during the morning head count.

Mingoa said investigators of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology have not discounted the possibility that the two inmates bribed some jail officers, but declined to comment until further investigation.

Following the orders of Fermin Enriquez, chief jail inspector for Metro Manila, Mingoa has ordered the immediate rearrest of the two escapees and a progress report on the incident within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, reporters who visited the cell of the two escapees at Room 8 noted several electronic appliances inside such as video compact disc players.

Records of the Special Operations Division of the Philippine National Police-Narcotics Group showed that Chua Rong Rong was arrested on June 23, 2000 by a team led by Senior Superintendent Francisco Villaroman along Claro M. Recto Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Seized from her were 14 kilos of shabu worth about P28 million.

Lim Tuy Tim was arrested by police on Aug. 18, 1998 in Tondo, Manila. Seized from her were eight kilos of shabu worth about P16 million.