MANILA, Philippines– Presidential Communications Secretary, Martin Andanar released a statement about the Cotabato jail attack on January 4, 2017.
According to the initial report, around 100 inmates escaped and one jail officer, Jail Officer 1 Excell Ray Vicedo, died after more than a hundred armed men attacked the North Cotabato District Jail in Barangay Amas, Kidapawan City, around 1:15 am on January 4.
The firefight lasted for two hours.
The North Cotabato District Jail has a population of 1,511. The inmates took the opportunity to escape through the back portion of the facility while the rest of the personnel were retaliating to hold their ground and to protect other inmates.
Ongoing clearing operations by the Special Action Force (SAF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) together with the BJMP Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team within the jail vicinity and the surrounding area are currently underway.
Manhunt operations on the escapees are ongoing. Fourteen were recaptured. Of the 14, two (2) surrendered and six (6) died during the operations, as of 1:55 PM yesterday.
All BJMP units in Region 12 and nearby provinces remain on heightened alert. (PCOO)
