COTABATO acting Governor Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva confirmed Tuesday the relief of two officials of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) after the escape of over 150 inmates of the North Cotabato District Jail (NCDJ) last week.
Villanueva said Senior Superintendent Alberto Balauag, regional director of BJMP in Central Mindanao, and NCDJ warden Superintendent Peter Bongat were relieved from their post pending an investigation.
On January 3, gunmen attacked the NCDJ that allowed the inmates to escape while the jail personnel were retailing.
Forty-nine of the 158 inmates who bolted were recaptured, while 15 others were killed during the pursuit operations.
A jail officer was also killed during the attack.
Villanueva said the relief orders came following an appeal of Local Secretary Ismael Sueno.
The BJMP together with the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are conducting continuous operations against the remaining inmates who remain at large. (Sunnex)
