4 inmates charged with murder, theft bolt Isabela City jail

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — At least four high-profile detainees escaped from their cells in the jail of Isabela City on dawn Monday, the jail warden said.

Jail Inspector Fe Galvez, Isabela City Jail warden, identified the prisoners as Muslimin Sayuman alias Pogi, Kayser Nassan, Bigmar Boso and Garwas Hakim Asadi, who are facing charges ranging from murder to carnapping in Isabela City.

Citing the investigation report, Galvez said  the escapees cut through the grill of their cell ventilation window with a hacksaw and bolted about 4:30 a.m. from the detention facility.

The Isabela City Jail, located at Barangay Port Area in Basilan province, has at least 54 inmates, including the four escapees.

Glavez said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Isabela City Police Station have launched a pursuit operation to recapture the detainees who were believed to have fled toward the Sampanit Complex, a mountainous area known to have presence of Abu Sayyaf militants.

She said military personnel operating in the area were also alerted on the possible presence of the fugitives.