Inmate hears voices, tries to bolt jail

MANILA, Philippines - An inmate, claiming he heard voices in his head, tried to escape from the Quezon City Jail yesterday morning in the presence of all the jail guards.

Benjamin Maglaya, 43, who is facing charges of two counts of acts of lasciviousness, was eventually pacified and convinced to come down after about 10 minutes, said jail warden Superintendent Joseph Vela.

Vela said at around 8 a.m., while other inmates participated in a religious activity, Maglaya clambered onto the roof of the basketball court in the middle of the jail complex.

“He suddenly climbed up. It was in broad daylight so it was strange why he would escape at that time,” Vela told The STAR.

When he talked to jail authorities, Maglaya claimed he heard “whispers” in his head. This prompted Vela to request a psychiatrist to examine the inmate.

According to Vela, it was the first time that the inmate attempted to “escape” in his almost four years of detention.

Vela said the inmate would be referred to the jail’s disciplinary board for possible sanctions, but noted that their priority at the moment is to have him undergo a psychiatric test.