NPA rebels raid jail in Samar

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines  — Around 25 to 30 suspected members of the New People's Army raided a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility in Barangay Lagundi, Catbalogan, Samar on the evening of Wednesday (July 13), said a BJMP official.

Senior Supt. Angelo Marcos Jr., BJMP provincial administrator and Calbayog City jail warden said over the phone that the raid happened at around 9 p.m..

The marauders took three guns, two laptops, cash from the jailguards and even the earrings of an inmate, he said.

One jail guard, JO2 Roberto Lim was wounded at the back when he tried to retaliate. He was brought to the Samar Provincial Hospital and later transferred to the Divine Word Hospital in this city, about an hour and a half travel from Catbalogan City.

Marcos said the jail has 22 inmates, who were reportedly urged by the rebels to escape or join them, but all opted to remain.

Citing his familiarity with the jail, having been assigned there in the past, he said it was near a "highly influenced barangay" which is the reason why the guards there only have short firearms.

Pursuit operations by a joint police and Army team were immediately done after the raid. By morning of Thursday, an elite team of Scout Rangers have joined the pursuit. (FREEMAN)