3 inmates bolt Mandaluyong jail

Three inmates escaped from a jail in Mandaluyong City yesterday by destroying a portion of their detention cell .

Superintendent Ericson Velasquez, Mandaluyong City police chief, placed duty investigator SPO3 Bayani Prianes under investigation for the escape of Arnel Macasaet, Renato Barroa and Gerald Francis Bonifacio.

"Once we find lapses on his (Prianes) part, there will be administrative sanctions," Velasquez said.

The escape was discovered after Prianes conducted a headcount of the prisoners at the jail located inside the police headquarters building along the Maysilo Compound at about 7:15 a.m.

The jail was occupied by 22 inmates facing light offenses.

Initial investigation conducted by Velasquez showed that the detainees destroyed the wooden wall of the jail and crawled toward the ceiling and out of the police station.

The remaining inmates claimed they were all asleep at the time the three inmates escaped.

"Nobody among the inmates could provide further details on the incident," said Velasquez, noting that the trio also kept to themselves their plan to spring out of jail.

Velasquez said Macasaet, Barroa and Bonifacio face charges for illegal possession of illegal drugs.

"They were just waiting for medical examinations prior to their transfer to the nearby city jail," he said.

Three teams of crack police operatives were dispatched by Velasquez to various areas of Mandaluyong City to track down the escapees.

Velasquez said the parents of the three inmates promised to surrender their sons if they turn up. – Non Alquitran