At least six detainees escaped from a detention facility at a police station in Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City after cutting the jail bars with a hacksaw past midnight on Monday, January 12, 2026.

According to Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Director, Col. Dexter Paje, one of the escapees was recaptured later, leaving five others remain at large, as of this writing.

Paje said five of the escapees, including the one who was recaptured, have pending drug-related cases while the other is facing an attempted rape charge.

“Going man gud sila diri sa Balubal nga area but other nga possible nga adtuan nila atong gipa-track pud,” Paje said.

Paje added that the Puerto Police Station chief, Major Amanollah Bantuas, was relieved from his post following the incident.

Investigations are also ongoing to determine why on-duty personnel failed to prevent the escape.

The escapee who was recaptured said the prison break was planned with the help of a female accomplice who brought them a hacksaw and saltwater mixture to weaken the bars.

The group then carried out the breakout late Sunday, January 11.

“(Ingon to’ng usa ka PDL) nga didto daw mi sa Balubal magkita kung dili daw ko mutunga didto dunggabon daw ko niya,” the recaptured inmate said.

“Pero wala gyud ko’y balak nga mudagan ato, akong huna-huna wala gyud ko’y balak ato lisod kayo kay gamay ra atong rehab ra ta unom ra ka bulan ato rang daganan,” he added.

Because of the incident, stricter security measures will be implemented across other police stations in the city.

“So we will adjust ang mga selda atong i-fortify and then magbutang na siguro ta og personnel gyud dinhi nga mag-man gyud sa jail…the same atong himuon kung ang selda lig-on ba and then makita man nato ang sitwasyon sa selda kung ma-consider ba nato nga weak (ang lock) sa mga selda so atong i-improve,” Paje said.

A hot pursuit to recapture the remaining escapees continues, while personnel involved in negligence of duty may face administrative charges.