Basilan jail warden, 2 others under probe for jailbreak

The provincial warden of Basilan and two others were placed under investigation on Monday for their alleged involvement in the escape of about 31 inmates - most of them suspected secessionist rebels - in Isabela City, Basilan Sunday. Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered the Regional 9 head Chief Superintendent Angelo Sunglao to look into the purported collusion among the suspects and warden Jumaril Sali and jail guards Sixto Diaz and Danie Cumbo. "He [Verzosa] has directed the regional director to get to the bottom of this intrusion...and to review lapses in the detention facility. There may have been collusion with the provincial guards," said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina. On Sunday, about 30 armed men attacked the Sumagdang, Isabela City jail manned by the provincial guards. The armed men tore down the rear wall using a sledgehammer and used a bolt cutter to destroy the detention locks. About 31 inmates – of whom 11 are considered “high risk" – were able to escape. One jail guard and one of the armed men were killed in a 10-minute firefight that occurred during the incident. The armed men are believed to be members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s 114th base command, but the MILF had already denied any involvement in the jailbreak. Earlier in the day, MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu also denied that the escaped MILF inmates were involved in the beheading of Marines in 2007. Among those who escaped were MILF leaders Dan Laksaw and Kamsa Limaya based in Al-Barka town in Basilan. Espina, meanwhile, said that hot pursuit operations are ongoing for the 31 escaped prisoners. As of Monday afternoon, no one has been arrested yet. - with reports from Sophia Dedace/RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV