'Trustee' escapes from Misamis Oriental jail

AN INMATE who has gained the trust of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) officials bolted out of the detention facility on Thursday, January 4.

MOPJ warden Dominador Tagarda identified the jail "trustee" as 45-year-old Jonathan Ramos, a resident of Mambatangan in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

He was detained at the MOPJ last July 2017 for illegal drug charges.

Jail officials considered him a "trustee" after he showed good conduct and records while inside the detention center.

Tagarda said Ramos and another inmate had a daily morning task to put the garbage sacks outside the jail facility with the supervision of the jail guards.

After doing the chore around 8:15 a.m., the two inmates went back inside, but the jail guards failed to notice that Ramos, who was still at the first perimeter fence, went again outside to dump another sack of waste and never came back.

Tagarda said Ramos had been missing since 3:45 p.m.

Tagarda said Ramos may have been facing personal problems with his live-in partner, prompting him to escape.

“Sumala sa mga inmates dunay mga lalis si Ramos ug ang iyang partner kay naay giselosan ni si Ramos (According to the inmates, Ramos and his partner are not in good terms),” Tagarda said.

Tagarda said there were lapses on the part of the jail guards on duty for being so complacent.

“Kumpyansa kaayo sila. Dapat unta ato gi-padlock dayon ang gate pagkasulod sa duha sa second perimeter fence (They were complacent. They could have padlocked the gate after the two entered the second perimeter fence),” Tagarda added.

The jail warden said the two guards responsible were made to explain the incident within 72 hours. Their report will be forwarded to Governor Yevgeny Emano for possible disciplinary actions.

Tagarda said possible sanctions for the lapses could be suspension or dismissal, depending on the evaluation of the capitol executives.

MOPJ officials already contacted the family of Ramos while the police were also tapped to help locate his whereabouts.

“Wala man gyud mahitabo sa iya (Ramos) kung mosurrender siya ug atubangon niya ang kaso. Kana iyang personal nga problema pwede mana maistoryahan (Nothing will happen to him if he will surrender and face his cases. His personal problems can be fixed),” Tagarda said.