FOUR detainees of Bacolod City Police Station 3 escaped by cutting off the iron bar of the custodial facility in Barangay Mandalagan Monday morning, January 6, 2020.
The escapees are Sunny Capa; Ely Lorence, 22, of Barangay 3; Michael Penoso, 25, of Barangay 2, all facing charges for violation of illegal drugs; and Jeffrey Elangos, 38, of Barangay Banago, who is facing child abuse charges.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said the escapees sawed off the bar and escaped behind the jail facility.
He said the incident was discovered by jail officer Police Staff Sergeant Eric Olverio and desk officer Police Corporal Orwayne Jade Nadado around 12:45 a.m.
Pico, who personally checked the custodial facility Monday, said a concerned citizen saw the detainees walking behind the custodial facility around 1 a.m.
"We received information that the jailer and desk officers were not around when the escapees sawed off the one inch iron bar and escaped," he said.
He added BCPO Director Colonel Henry Binas already directed Police Station 3 chief Major Ruel Culanag to conduct a manhunt operation against the suspects.
Pico noted that Police Station 3 is occupying a portion of the Barangay Mandalagan Hall with two detention cells. The four escapees were detained in one detention cell.
Pico said Culanag, along with the desk and jail officers, was required to submit their explanation on the incident.