One of 16 escapees from Basilan jail recaptured

By Ronron
July 21, 2007

One of the 16 inmates of the Basilan Provincial Jail who escaped before dawn of Friday was recaptured later in the day, police said yesterday (Saturday).

Mahmud Morales (earlier identified in the report as Jipon Morales) fell back into the hands of authorities at around 9:45 pm after the friend he hoped to seek refuge with reported his presence to police.

Morales is charged with violation of the illegal drugs act.

PO2 Mamduh Balahim, duty officer of the Isabela City Police Station in Basilan, said Morales was re-arrested near his friend’s house in Barangay Carbon in Malamawi Island off Isabela City.

Balahim said Morales resisted arrest that is why he was shot on his right thigh as he tried to swim into the sea.

Morales was brought to the Isabela City Police Station and is due for operation at the local hospital on Wednesday. He was given first aid and is taking medicine for his gunshot wound.

Balahim said the search for the 15 other fugitives, who include four Abu Sayyaf Group members facing kidnapping charges, are still ongoing.

He said joint elements from the local police and the Marines are conducting the manhunt operations.

The inmates escaped at around 4am last Friday by sawing the iron bar on the top portion of the cell. The moved outside of the cell by holding on to a blanket and rope./DMS