27 inmates bolt Misamis jail: 9 Recaptured

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Using improvised bombs, 27 inmates, led by a kidnapping and robbery suspect, bolted the Misamis Oriental provincial jail at about 5:30 a.m. yesterday, wounding one jailguard.

However, quick pursuit by the Misamis Oriental police netted nine of the escapees before noon.

After escaping from the provincial jail, most of the jailbreakers flagged down a passenger jeepney driven by a certain Noel Ramas, and disembarked near the Nestlé plant in Barangay Tablon, where they went their separate ways.

Tagged as leader of the jailbreakers was Fernando Acosta, alias Commander Micabali, who is charged with kidnapping with illegal detention and four counts of robbery. He was among those re-arrested.

The escapees were from the provincial jail’s Cells No. 1, 2 and 3, which had a total of 195 inmates

Besides Acosta, lawyer Demosthenes Arbelon, officer-in-charge of the provincial jail, identified the other escapees as Servillo Cuerdo, Genero Onde, Feliciano Pasumala, Efren Amahon, Jeffrey Abajaron, Boyet Dacutan, Julie Ordiz, Allan Dejos, Roel Jumayno, Angelito Gonzaga, Ninolito Payapaya, Ramil Gemo, Abraham Alcachupas, Joseph Asindente, Arnold Jaranilla, Mervin Curan, Edwin Bolta, Jinky Humaynon, Joseph Macapundag, Fernando Nantinga, Jerry Quinquino, Julie Sumila, Emiliano Villanedo Jr., Edwin Lepanta and a certain Tigcaluan.

Most of them are facing murder, homicide, frustrated murder, rape and robbery charges.

Recaptured in separate places were Acosta, Cuerdo, Tigcaluan, Bolta, Onde, Jumayno, Pasumala, Dacutan and another one who was not named.

Acosta said he planned the jailbreak for several days after learning about a supposed plot to kill him in jail.

Acosta then fashioned improvised bombs using four empty cans of sardines, cotton wrapped in cigarette foil as fuse and sand.

When the garbage was being collected at about 5:30 a.m. yesterday, he lighted the improvised bombs and hurled them at the jailguards, who scampered for safety, leaving the cells open.

The escapees quickly subdued the jailguards, leaving PG1 Jaime Savilla wounded in the neck by a crude arrow, which the jailbreakers used in the confusion.

Arbelon said they would investigate why the jailguards failed to fire any warning shots during the jailbreak.