BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Western Visayas believes the saw used in the prison break at the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) last week was smuggled via deliveries to the jail.
BJMP-6 spokesperson, Atty. Jairus Anthony Dogelio, said the saw used by escapees Francisco Epogon, brothers Marvin and Danilo Celeste, Alejandro Montoya, and Daniel Tamon were concealed either in food or clothing handed over by visiting family members or friends.
Dogelio said visitation at the jail had been suspended since the coronavirus pandemic began, although food and clothing deliveries were allowed; jail personnel would receive them then hand these over to the inmates.
Dogelio also revealed that at least 15mm of steel bar of Cell No. 6 was sawed off by the escapees.
Following the findings, Dogelio added they would thoroughly check every item being delivered by visitors into the jail prior to being handed over to the inmates.
To note, Epogon, the Celeste brothers, Montoya, and Tamon bolted out of the NODJ located in Barangay Tabunan in Bago City, Negros Occidental on June 29.
The following day, authorities tracked down the escapees in Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia. Marvin Celeste was shot dead by police and Tamon was recaptured.
On Friday, the police and the BJMP tracked down the remaining three escapees in Barangay San Fernando in Talisay City. Danilo Celeste was also shot dead.
Police were still searching for Epogon and Montoya, warning the public that both escapees are “armed and dangerous”.
A bounty of P10,000 for each of the two remaining escapees is being offered./PN
