ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – (UPDATE) Thirty one prisoners bolted jail early Sunday, a few hours before Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales’ scheduled visit to Isabela City to assess the security situation in Basilan.
Senior Supt. Abubakar Tulawie, Basilan police chief, said 31 prisoners bolted the Basilan Provincial Jail at around 1:45 a.m.
“More than half of the inmates escaped and we are continuously conducting pursuit operation,” Tulawie said.
Jail guard Ron Nasser was killed while another jail guard Nozer Sali, was wounded.
Tulawie said initial investigation disclosed that armed men destroyed the rear portion of concrete fence of the detention center, “and used a padlock cutter to cut the metal grill.”
Three jail officers were on duty at the time of the incident.
Basilan Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul said he received information that Commander Long, leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, was behind the rescue of a jailed member.
“But many of the inmates also escaped,” Sakalahul said.
A number those who escaped are suspected Abu Sayyaf members, while some are facing cases of common crimes.
Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad said people have become wary of the recent incidents in the province.
“We have kidnapping, beheading and now jailbreak. The state of lawlessness is becoming serious here,” Jumoad said.
Gonzales said the jailbreak called for a deeper assessment of the peace and security in the island province.
He called for an improvement in law enforcement in Basilan. “If there’s any laxity, we will address that later,” he added.
But Gonzales assured Martial law would not be imposed on the island.
“Martial law is not yet needed in Basilan,” he said.
Jumoad earlier pushed for the declaration of martial law after the beheading of plywood factory worker Marquez Singson.
On Sunday, Jumoad told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he was taking back his call for martial rule, and would push for the declaration of a state of emergency.
“The ground to declare martial law is very vague. There is no rebellion here,” Jumoad said.
“What we need is to review and implement the earlier proclamation declared in 2001, the state of emergency,” he added.
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