Troops Capture 3 Prisoners Who Escaped Jail In South RP

COTABATO CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 10 Feb) – Army troops captured Saturday three prisoners who escaped from a prison facility in North Cotabato province, south of the Philippines, as security forces continued searching for more than three dozen other jail breakers.

The prisoners escaped Feb. 2 after gunmen raided the facility. Authorities said among those who bolted from jail were several suspected terrorists, one of them an Abu Sayyaf militant, linked to October bombings in North Cotabato that killed eight people.

“We captured three of them, who are facing murder charges. We are still trying to determine if they are also involved in the bombings,” said Army Col. Pedro Soria.

The trio had been captured near Kabacan town in North Cotabato. Other reports said two other prisoners had been killed in a firefight with soldiers.

The area was also site of Thursday clashes between the troops and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels. Many of those who bolted jail were hiding in areas where the MILF is actively operating, making it more difficult for the hunters to purse the escapees.

North Cotabato governor Emmanuel Pinol has given a shoot-to-kill order on top of a P20,000 bounties for each of the prisoners. But his order drew criticisms from human rights and militant groups.

Pinol insisted the jail raiders were members of the MILF. The rebel group, which is currently negotiating peace with Manila, denied the accusation and also criticized Pinol for his shoot-to-kill order.

Police and military said the gunmen were members of the dreaded kidnap syndicate called Pentagon Gang.

Many of those who escaped were suspects in various crimes and had not been convicted yet.
Rebel leaders fear that security forces may intrude into their bases and trigger more clashes.

The MILF said it is willing to help the police and military in the hunt for prisoners. “We are willing to help the authorities hunt down the prisoners if the Philippine government seeks our help,” Eid Kabalu, a rebel spokesman, told the Mindanao Examiner.

The MILF signed a truce with the government in 2001, but despite the cease-fire sporadic clashes still continue in some areas in the south. (Mindanao Examiner)