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Monday, February 03, 2003
2 'cop killers', 5 other inmates bolt jail
By Harley Palangchao
BENGUET -- Seven prisoners, including two alleged cop killers, successfully escaped from prison in a daring jailbreak at the Benguet Provincial Jail early Sunday morning.
Police reports said the seven inmates escaped through the ceiling by cutting the iron grills at the upper portion of their cell.
Authorities identified the escapees as Albert Bayagen, charged with robbery with double homicide for killing a policeman, Randy Domingo, jailed for robbery and homicide and for killing another cop late last year, and Heralde Bag-ay, Jerry Daplian, James Dawsi and Joseph Panganiban, all charged with robbery, and Nario Emilio for rape.
They were all detained at cell number 1 with eight other inmates, who decided not to escape with them.
Jail officials temporarily prohibited visitors and barred private citizens from entering the jail compound.
Initial investigation conducted by the La Trinidad Police Station revealed that the jailbreak happened early Sunday morning.
Placido Wangkey, the administrator of the Benguet Jail, said he was not yet certain what time the jailbreak occurred. He said that prior to the incident, between 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, they experienced a 20-minute brownout.
Wangkey added that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the Cordilleras and the Benguet Provincial Police Office have already launched manhunt operations against the inmates.
"We are also conducting an internal investigation to determine if the jail guards detailed at the time of the jailbreak committed lapses," he told Sun.Star. It was learned that five jail guards are detailed per work shift. The jail guards man more than 150 inmates.
Reliable sources said a prisoner in cell number one had informed jail officials that some of his co-prisoners were planning to escape.
Benguet Gov. Raul Molintas said he has directed the police in the province and jail officials to recapture the prisoners as soon as possible.
"We also directed the Provincial Legal Counsel to conduct an investigation to determine how the jailbreak could have occurred," he added. With Thom Picaña/Sun.Star Baguio |
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Another suspect shot by policemen