5 inmates bolt Pasig jail

MANILA, Philippines - Five inmates escaped from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) jail in Pasig City yesterday.

Suspects Manito Rico Jr. (rape), John Rey Gamarcha (illegal possession of firearms), Marlon Palacio (robbery), Patrick Espinosa (attempted and frustrated homicide), and Ryan Cayabyab (possession of illegal drugs) are the subjects of a manhunt by Eastern Police District and BJMP operatives, EPD director Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel said.

The five inmates were missing when a head count of prisoners was done yesterday morning.

They escaped by cutting the metal bars of their cell with an improvised saw at about 2 a.m. yesterday. The BJMP jail is located at Nagpayong in Barangay Pinagbuhatan.

Superintendent Remus Medina, EPD intelligence chief has deployed tracker teams to recapture the suspects.

According to Medina, the family of Palacio has contacted Iyo Bernardo, Pasig City vice mayoral candidate, for the escapee’s safe surrender.