5 Inmates Bolt Police Jail in Northern Cebu Town

Five inmates who are facing various charges in court early Friday morning escaped from the police detention cell in Compostela town, some 30 kilometers north of Cebu City.

Inspector Romeo Caacoy Jr., Compostela town police chief, identified the escaped prisoners as Giovanni Tapayan, 40; Joel Cuyos, 33; Joseph Mahinay, 33; Robin Catipay, 19; and Nelson Agbay.

Caacoy said Tapayan, Cuyos and Mahinay are facing illegal drug charges, while Catipay was arrested for violating the anti-fencing law.

Agbay was arrested by the police for operating an illegal numbers game, he said.

Caacoy said they have launched a manhunt against the escapees.

He said the town’s jail had a total of 38 prisoners before the five escaped.

He said the prisoners escaped at about 5:20 a.m. by destroying the detention cell’s iron grill.

Caacoy said that Senior Police Officer 1 Jaime Marolina, the duty jail and desk officer at the time of the prisoners’ escape, will face an administrative investigation. (PNA)/EB/RSM