Six prisoners bolt Quezon jail; 2 killed, 7 wounded

CAMP GUILLERMO NAKAR, Lucena City — Six prisoners of the Quezon District Jail in Pagbilao town bolted the prison on Thursday after they took two jail officers hostage, police said.

Two other inmates were killed while seven others were wounded in the ensuing shootout inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) compound in Barangay Talipan.

Quezon Police Director Senior Superintendent Leo Kison identified the escapees as Ronilo Galpas, Eduardo Andaya, Erick Basan, Orlando Ramos, Manuelito Aranesta and Henry Andaya, all facing carnapping and robber cases.

Killed in the shootout were Anthony Baggay, 27; and Vicente Baguiwan, 31, natives of Baguio City and co-accused in a robbery case.

Police investigation showed that Senior Jail Officer 1 Jessie Luce and Jail Officer 2 Melani Valencia were about to serve dinner to the inmates at around 5:30 p.m. when the prisoners grabbed them from behind and took their service firearms.

At least a dozen prisoners joined the melee and stormed the jail armory, taking with them two M16 rifles and two 12-gauge shotguns and started shooting responding jail officers.

One jail officer, identified as JO1 Felixberto Basco, was also wounded in the firefight but was later declared out of danger.

President Arroyo, who was campaigning in Laguna when the jailbreak occured, visited the Quezon District Jail Compound and ordered an investigation. — With Ed Amoroso, AFP