Five inmates escaped from the Negros Occidental District Jail at about 1 a.m. today, June 29, in Brgy. Tabunan, Bago City, Negros Occidental.
The five escapees, who are considered as high-profile inmates of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, were identified as Francisco Epogon, brothers Marvin and Danilo Celeste, Alejandro Montoya, and Daniel Tamon.
Danilo Celeste is facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, attempted homicide, carnapping, and robbery, while his brother, Marvin, is facing charges also for violation of RA 10591. Both are residents of Sitio Timawa, Brgy. Gawahon in Victorias City.
Montoya, of Hacienda Tison, Brgy. Gawahon, Victorias City, is facing charges for violation of RA 10591, carnapping, robbery, attempted homicide, and acts of lasciviousness, while Tamon, of Brgy. Kumaliskis, Salvador Benedicto, is charged for murder.
Epogon, of Brgy. Isio, Cauayan, is facing charges for robbery with violation against intimidation of person, and robbery with homicide. He used to be a leader of the Epogon group, the Cauayan police, who arrested him June 20 last year, said.
Initial reports showed that the five high-profile inmates cut the iron grills of their detention cell, climbed the perimeter fence, using their clothes that they tied one-by-one, and escaped under the cover of darkness.
The Philippine National Police is assisting personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the province-wide manhunt for the escapees. — GB
