Inmate dared to name assassination plotters

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Misamis Oriental Governor Antonio Calingin dared yesterday prisoner Fernando Acosta to identify the person or persons who plotted for his murder inside the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail, which prompted him and 26 other inmates to escape early Sunday morning.

This as authorities continued yesterday its pursuit operation against the remaining 13 escapees who are still at large.

Acosta, who is facing charges for kidnapping with illegal detention and four cases of robbery, said after he was recaptured that he decided to escape after uncovering a murder plot against him.

He said some influential persons had paid a fellow inmate to kill him.

"Somebody went to my house and told my wife that I am in danger here because a prisoner has been hired to kill me. That is why I decided to escape," he said in his dialect.

But Calingin just shrugged off the claims of the "Desperadong Magahat" kidnap-for-ransom and bandit leader who also goes by the name Commander Makabali.

The governor said Acosta was just hallucinating and was really bent on escaping to evade the cases filed against him in court, such as the kidnapping of Vice Mayor Juan Po of Jasaan town last year.

Jail officer-in-charge, Provincial Attorney Demosthenes Arbilon, meanwhile, has tightened the security at the provincial prison following Sunday’s escape of 27 prisoners.

Despite calls for Arbilon’s immediate sacking as OIC jail warden, Calingin said he has no plan to replace his lawyer, saying prisoners bolting jail always happen whoever will be the warden.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to pursue the remaining 13 prisoners who are believed to be still hiding in the hinterland boundary of Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon.

The police recaptured before noon Sunday Acosta, Jose Asendante, Jerry Quinquinio, Jinky Humaynon, Boyet Dacutan, Edwin Lepanta, Sevillo Cuervo, Edwin Bolta, Jenero Onde, Ruel Humaynon, Feliciano Pasumala, Angelito Gonzaga and Ermilo Sigla.

One of the prisoners, identified as Fernando Natengga, died after jumping into a ravine at F.S. Catanico to evade pursuing policemen.