A hunt is on for at least seven alleged drug personalities who escaped from the jail facility of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Zamboanga City on May 13, 2024. 

PDEA-9 said it is cooperating with other law enforcement agencies to locate and rearrest the  jailbreakers.

The anti-narcotics agency also urged anyone with knowledge on the whereabouts of the escapees to come forward.

“We assure the public that necessary measures are being undertaken to prevent such incidents in the future, and we remain committed to our mission of combating illegal drug activities in the region,” PDEA-9 said.

According to GMA News Online, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has also formed a tracker team to help recapture the jailbreakers.

“Around 2:45 a.m. nangyari iyong insidente nang mapansin ng duty guard na nawawala nga po itong mga persons under PDEA custody. Immediately, ni-report po niya ito,” PNP Spokesperson, Colonel Jean Fajardo, said.

“Based po sa kanilang initial investigation po ay meron pong butas doon po sa may taas ng ceiling na pinagsususpetshan po nila na ginamit po na exit point ng mga tumakas po,” she added.

Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe has urged the PDEA-Central Office to launch an in-depth probe into the incident.

Dalipe called on the agency to exert all possible means to rearrest those who escaped immediately and hold anyone involved in the jailbreak liable.