Warden suspended over NPA jailbreak in Quezon

MANILA, Philippines - Top jail officials in Quezon province were ordered suspended and investigated following Saturday's daring jailbreak that allowed seven New People's Army (NPA) rebels to escape. Quezon provincial police chief Sr. Supt. Fidel Posadas said Sunday Governor Rafael Nantes ordered the probe after learning that the jail management had already been warned about a possible jailbreak. "Ni-relieve ang provincial warden at deputy at nagpa-conduct ng investigation (The governor ordered the provincial warden and the deputy warden relieved while the investigation is ongoing)," Posadas told dzBB radio in an interview without naming the provincial jail director and his deputy. Posadas disclosed that as early as Oct. 10, he already informed the Lucena City police about an NPA threat and instructed him to arrange a security inspection of the provincial jail. He said he even had the local police secure the NPA members when they were to be brought to court for hearings. "Nang nangyari (ang jailbreak), wala ang provincial warden, ang deputy at 25 jail guards nagse-seminar sa Manila (But when the jailbreak occurred, the provincial warden and his deputy were out, and 25 of the jail guards were attending a seminar in Manila)," he said. Posadas said at least 10 NPAs went to the Quezon Provincial Jail at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, wearing black shirts with "PDEA" printed in front and "SWAT" printed at the back. Initial investigation showed the jail guards did not even question the NPAs, who claimed they were "turning over" a prisoner to the jail. "Di nila tinanong sino ang judge, nakapasok sila malayang malaya (The guards did not even ask what judge ordered the turnover of prisoners. So the men entered the jail freely)," Posadas said. The men then freed seven NPA "political prisoners" identified as Gemma Carag, Cecilia Mondia, Noel Santos, Gerson Carabido, Fernando Tawagon, Arnold Valencia, and Rogelio Monteverda. Posadas said the seven NPAs face charges of murder and rebellion. During the escape, responding police units tried to intercept the NPAs' van but the men threw grenades and fired at them. Two policemen and two civilians were injured, Posadas said. The NPAs also took a super cal-.38 handgun, a cal-.38 revolver, and two cal-.45 pistols, Posadas said. - GMANews.TV