9 inmates bolt MPD jail; 2 cops sacked

MANILA, Philippines - Nine inmates of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 2 escaped by cutting the metal bars of their detention cell at dawn yesterday.

The jailbreak occurred hours after National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Joel Pagdilao ordered district directors and police station commanders in the metropolis to inspect cells of detainees in their respective jurisdictions to prevent escapes.

In his directive, Pagdilao instructed the police officials to account for the number of detainees to prevent them from taking advantage of the New Year revelry to escape.

MPD Station 2 commander Superintendent Nicolas Pinon ordered the relief of Police Officers 3 Christopher Jacinto and Wendam de la Cruz, who were on duty when the jailbreak occurred.

According to Pinon, the nine inmates escaped by cutting the metal bars of their cell with an improvised saw at around 1 a.m. The detainees scaled the police station’s wall.

He said four inmates were caught by police officers after they failed to climb the wall.

Pinon claimed that the five escapees were recaptured in a follow-up operation.

Police have yet to identify the recaptured inmates.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana ordered an investigation into the jailbreak.

He ordered the filing of administrative and criminal charges against police officers found to be remiss in their duties.