Inmate escapes Leyte provincial jail

PALO, Leyte, Philippines — An inmate escaped from the Leyte provincial jail after attending a court hearing at noon on Tuesday.

Byron Murillo, 39, a resident of Alangalang town, was about to be transported back to jail when he asked permission from his escorts to talk to his wife, who was in a white van.

When in the van, Murillo reportedly took the key and sped away.

The getaway vehicle was later found abandoned in front of the Tacloban Volunteer Fire Brigade headquarters.

Leyte jail warden Brendo Gamez ordered an investigation into reports that Murillo’s escorts were accomplices of the inmate.

The jail guards were identified as Winston Lesiguez and Remigio Murillo, said to be an uncle of the inmate.