4 bolt Caloocan jail, tag guard in escape

MANILA, Philippines – Four inmates escaped from a Caloocan precinct’s detention cell Saturday night.

One of the escapees later sent a text message to the precinct commander, saying one of the jail guards knew about their plans to escape and “advised” them to do so when another jail guard is on duty.

Barugo police station chief Superintendent Rey Ariza said Danilo Bodoso, Ryan Vincent Modesto, Raymundo Abalantac and Leonardo Manila escaped from the Police Community Precinct 6 on Camarin Road.

The inmates escaped by cutting one of the grills with an improvised saw, according to a report obtained by The STAR.

Precinct commander Chief Inspector Avelino Protacio, while in a conference with police officers under him, received a text message from “Ryan Modesto,” who said Senior Police Officer 2 Edgardo Meriales knew about their plans but told them to stage the jailbreak when his fellow desk officer, Senior Police Officer 1 Wilfredo Barrios, is on duty.

Ariza said they filed charges against Barrios and had Meriales investigated. Meriales denied the allegations.

A source said Barrios is reportedly known for “taking care” of robbers and other criminals and may have been lax when he was on duty.

Ariza said friends or relatives who visited the inmates may have smuggled the improvised saw into the precinct.