By
Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA
CITY – Government troops are conducting manhunt operations
against eight prisoners, including an Abu Sayyaf bandit, who managed to escape
by climbing through the ceiling and jumping over the concrete fence of the
Basilan Provincial Jail last week.
Capt.
Maria Rowena A Muyuela, information chief of the Western Mindanao Command based
in Zamboanga City, said the Joint Task Group (JTG) Basilan and the Philippine
National Police (PNP) are currently conducting manhunt operations against the
eight prisoners who broke loose from a provincial jail in Barangay Geras,
Sumandang, Isabela City, Basilan.
Col.
Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, JTG-Basilan commander, said the military and
police continue to “intensify patrol along the periphery as part of security
measure to preempt the rescue of Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) prisoners by their
comrades.”
The
police identified the fugitives as Said Usman (ASG member with 4 counts of
kidnapping with serious illegal detention); Akmad Arasani (frustrated murder
and violation of Sec. 11 of RA 9165); Obet dela Cruz (robbery case); Serham
Akalun alias Bagio (3 counts of murder); Benhar Ibrahim (violation of PD 533 cc
6384-cattle rustling); Oliver Tinguha (murder); Mumar Jajuli (violation of Sec
5 of RA 9165 or illegal drugs); and Arajan Dala (murder).
Lieutenant
General Rustico O. Guerrero, Commander, Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM),
said: “Our primary concern is to ensure security control over the province
while our troops continue to assist the local police in the conduct of manhunt
operations.
Meanwhile, Basilan Governor Jum Akbar
immediately summoned high-ranking officials of the PNP and military here in
connection with the jailbreak. The governor directed security forces to tighten
security in the entire province.
