Senior Superintendent Edwin Corvera, Laguna police director, said Angel Aniciete, 30, who was facing drug charges, was slain after a brief shootout with police officers.
The four other escapees were identified as Malonie Casico, 28; Hadji Coño, Gerald de Lima, 23; and Noah Macabasco, 26, who were similarly accused of violating the anti-drugs law.
Instead of yielding peacefully when they were spotted in Barangay Lewin here, Corvera said Aniciete fired at the pursuing lawmen, forcing them to return fire.
Investigation showed that Aniciete’s group managed to escape by shoving SPO3 Nicanor Avendaño out of the jail’s main door as he opened it to retrieve the garbage at about 9:15 p.m. Tuesday.
As the five dashed out to freedom, their nine fellow inmates stayed behind.
Corvera has relieved Avendaño and Superintendent Anjanza Aga Jasani, Lumban police chief, pending the filing of charges of infidelity in the custody of prisoners.
Meanwhile in Cabuyao town, a drug dependent was fatally shot by unidentified men shortly after an alleged drug-sniffing session in Barangay Pulo at about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Superintendent Cesario Valencia, Cabuyao police chief, said probers suspect that Johnny Azuela, 27, could have been killed because of double-cross in a drug transaction, adding that he was slain in a known haven of drug peddlers and dependents.
The victim’s mother told investigators that her son was a drug dependent who recently underwent rehabilitation at the Tagaytay Rehabilitation Center.