ANOTHER inmate who bolted out at the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) was shot dead after he and two other escapees allegedly opened fire at the police at Hacienda Ambulong, Barangay San Fernando, Talisay City Saturday morning, July 3, 2021.
The fatality was identified by the police as Danilo Celeste, brother of Marvin Celeste who was also slain by cops in Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia on Wednesday.
Police Major Jigger Gimeno, Talisay City police chief, said since Thursday night, they have been monitoring the escapees' presence after finding out that one of the escaped inmates Alejandro Montoya had a relative living in the area.
As the escapees were preparing their lunch, operatives from the Talisay City Police Station, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Negros Occidental 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and soldiers from the Philippine Army have launched their assault.
During the gun battle, Celeste was killed while the remaining two escapees Montoya and crime group leader Francisco Epogon escaped.
One of the remaining escapees was also reported to have been wounded in the leg.
It was believed that the wounds of one of the escapees may have been incurred during Wednesday's scuffle in Murcia and not from Saturday's gun battle.
The following afternoon, authorities shifted their search to neighboring Hacienda Sta. Teresita in Barangay Dos Hermanas after concerned citizens reported sighting of the two remaining escapees in the area.
Authorities have yet to give an update on the situation as of late Saturday afternoon.
Police seized a .45 caliber pistol, an improvised shotgun, and cane cutters believed to have also been stolen from the sugarcane workers in Murcia on Wednesday.
Police are now warning Negrenses to be vigilant against the two remaining escapees and immediately report any sightings of the individuals to their nearest police station as they are believed to be "armed and dangerous."
On Tuesday, the five inmates bolted out of their cells at the NODJ in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City.
Tamon was later recaptured in Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia after authorities tracked down their location when they allegedly robbed a group of sugarcane workers.