American saws off bars in Immigration jail in Davao

Published December 9, 2014 1:07pm

Authorities are now looking for an American citizen, who escaped from the Bureau of Immigration's detention facility in Davao City on Sunday.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison ordered intelligence operatives Tuesday to recapture Douglas Brent Jackson, the BI said on its Facebook page.

Mison also ordered an investigation into how Jackson escaped the facility, after initial findings indicated he sawed off part of the window grill in the confinement area.

After sawing off part of the grill, Jackson escaped through the structure's second floor.

"It appears that Jackson carefully planned out the escape with the help of some friends from outside BI," said BI spokesperson Elaine Tan.

Jackson is the subject of a summary deportation order dated August 29, 2014. He is wanted in the United States for theft.

The deportation order was not implemented because he has a pending estafa case in Davao for swindling.

He was transferred to the holding facility in Davao to facilitate the processes of the criminal case and to expedite his deportation.

Tan said BI personnel who would be found liable for the escape would be held acc.

"We will make sure all personnel who may have a hand on the escape are meted the appropriate sanctions," Tan said.

Lockdown

Tan said Mison also ordered a lockdown and a stricter enforcement of detention rules following Sunday's escape.

Initial investigations showed Jackson cut off part of the window grill with steel blades which may have been mixed with food items given to him by his visitors.

Because of this, Tan said visitors of detainees inside the facility will be subject to stricter security protocols. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News

Tags: bureauofimmigration