2 inmates bolt NBI detention facility in Manila

Two National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) guards are under investigation following the escape of two inmates from the bureau’s detention facility in Manila. Manhunt operations, meanwhile, have been launched to locate the fugitives, Albert Mata and Leovince Acapulco. Mata was jailed for kidnapping with homicide and payroll robbery, while Acapulco was detained on charges of kidnapping for ransom. NBI spokesman Special Investigator IV Cecilio Zamora did not identify the involved guards, but said they would be investigated to determine if they were in cahoots with the escapees. "The guards are now under investigation. We are wondering how come they did not notice the suspects sawing the bars. The sawing of the bar cannot be accomplished in two to three days," Zamora said.

Zamora said the inmates escaped at about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday at the NBI detention cell in Taft Avenue, Manila. Citing initial reports, Zamora said the two managed to escape by using blades to cut off 10 metal bars in their detention cells. He theorized the two may have cutting the bars as early as January. The two suspects even covered the CCTV cameras with a face towel, he added. It was the first time that somebody escaped from the NBI jail, Zamora said. While the manhunt is ongoing, the NBI advised residents, students and employees near the NBI compound in Manila to be wary of the two escaped detainees. — KBK, GMA News