MANILA, Philippines — Six inmates — five facing drug charges, one for illegal possession of firearms — escaped from the police detention cell of San Pedro City, Laguna early Tuesday morning.
Benjo Gayod Lopena, Mark Joseph Varias Alviar, Jordan Mahusap Ibanez, Ed Nino Edwardo Lozada Hernandez, Arvin Lizarda Basilan — the drug suspects — and Rey Erenia Rodrigo fled by sawing off the steel bars of the jail.
At the time of the jailbreak, the detention facility held 59 persons but none joined the escapees.
City police chief Senior Superintendent Harold Depositar has relieved Police Officer 2 Jovencio Piodo Jr., who was on duty at the time of the jailbreak, and ordered his investigation.
