2 young inmates outwit jail guards

SANTIAGO, Agusan del Norte — Two minors aged 13 and 15, accused of stealing two bicycles owned by a regional Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) official, escaped from this town’s jail, even carting away their jail guards’ M-16 Armalite rifles, last Tuesday.

The embarrassing incident occurred a day after the entire Philippine National Police got humiliated with the escape of Indonesian terror suspect Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi and two Abu Sayyaf members from the Intelligence Group detention cell at Camp Crame.

Immediately after the escape of the two minors, Caraga police director Alberto Rama Olario relieved Santiago police chief Heros Morales and ordered the filing of administrative charges and dismissal proceedings against PO3 Medil Concerman and PO3 Virgilio Pabia, the two jail guards who were reportedly sleeping when the two young inmates bolted jail at about 2 a.m.

A third jail guard, SPO1 Jesus Salvani, was awake at the time of the escape but was reportedly chatting with some female visitors at the waiting shed. He was charged with infidelity in the custody of prisoners.

Police said the two minors might have gotten the idea of doing an Al-Ghozi after hearing the news about the terror suspect’s daring escape.