KORONADAL CITY, Aug 23 (PNA) — It was supposed to be a well planned escape by inmates Sunday morning to gain freedom from the South Cotabato Provincial Rehabilitation and Detention Center (SCPRDC) but jail guards were smarter.
“It was a well planned but poorly executed,” said Juan Lanzaderas, SPRDC jail warden, of the foiled escape try.
Lanzaderas said the inmates thought they outsmarted the jail guards who were busy securing the premises during visiting hours at past 10 a.m. Sunday.
He identified the recaptured inmates as Jeffrey Cabrera of Polomolok, South Cotabato, facing robbery hold-up charges; Jonathan Campong of Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao facing illegal possession of explosive charges, Remark Bersula of Barangay San Jose Koronadal City who was facing robbery charges and Ryan Paquera charged with llegal possession of firearms.
According to Lanzadera, Cabrera and Campong were re-arrested in an open rice field at the back of the detention facility while Bersula and Paquera were collared while about to leap from the high concrete walls of the jail compound.
Police and jail guards recovered bed covers and blankets, tied together along with t-shirts, round iron bars the inmates used in leaping through the high walls.
One of the inmates told reporters that lack of food and family problems motivated them to escape.
However, Lanzaderas was quick to add that despite limited funds, inmates have been feed three times a day and other amenities were also provided.
Security in and around the jail facility had been improved since last year following a series of jail break.
A high resolution CCTV camera was also installed as part of security measures. (PNA)