8 inmates bolt Basilan jail

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Eight detainees, including a member of the bandit group Abu Sayyaf, escaped from the Basilan provincial jail in Isabela City yesterday morning.

The jailbreak was discovered at around 8 a.m. after a civilian reported to the police that a detainee had escaped from the facility located in Barangay Geras Sumagdang, said Superintendent Albert Larubis, Isabela City police chief.

Larubis said during a headcount, the provincial jail guard found out that eight of the detainees were missing. 

Abdulhusim Atalad, provincial jail warden, said investigation showed the fugitives, who were held at cell number 2, climbed the ceiling and jumped over the fence.

Larubis said his men were looking into the possibility that some outsiders were involved in the escape.

Police officers and soldiers are tracking down the fugitives identified as Abu Say-yaf bandit Said Usman, Akmad Arasani, Obet dela Cruz, Serham Akalun alias Bagio, Benhar Ibrahim, Oliver Tinguha, Mumar Jajuli and Arajan Dala.

The jailbreak is the third in seven years for the Basilan provincial jail.

In 2007, 16 detainees – including four Abu Sayyaf bandits – bolted the facility.

Two years later, 31 inmates, including leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Abu Sayyaf, escaped after their comrades raided the jail.