Two agencies to probe escape

MANILA, Philippines - Two separate investigations will be conducted on the escape of seven New People’s Army (NPA) members from the Quezon provincial jail in Lucena City on Saturday. In a press statement, Director-General Rosendo Moro Dial of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology said the local jail management was earlier warned by the provincial police chief of the possible escape. Provincial jail warden Archimedes Mortiz was relieved from his post on Sunday. Mr. Dial said that based on the initial investigation, Senior Superintendent Fidel Posadas, Quezon provincial police chief, has informed Lucena police on Oct. 10 about an NPA threat and ordered a security inspection of the jail premises. "The provincial jail officials were caught unprepared, most of their jail guards were out of town," he said. In a radio interview, Mr. Posadas said the provincial warden and his deputy were missing while 25 jail guards were attending a seminar in Manila. The seven rebels were Gemma Carag, Cecilia Mondia, Noel Santos, Gerson Carabido, Fernando Tawagon, Arnold Valencia and Rogelio Monteverda. They are facing charges of murder and rebellion. In a separate statement, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) head Dionisio Santiago said their probe will center on rebels who posed as PDEA employees. They helped their comrades escape. Initial investigation showed at least 10 NPA rebels wearing black shirts printed with "PDEA" in front and "SWAT" at the back arrived at the provincial jail around 6:15 p.m. Saturday and claimed they were "turning over" a prisoner to the jail facility. - BusinessWorld