KIDAPAWAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / July 10, 2012) – A notorious bandit leader linked to various kidnappings-for-ransom and murders escaped from prison before dawn Tuesday along with 10 other hardened criminals in the southern Philippines, police and military said.
It said Datukan Samad, a former Muslim rebel leader, bolted from jail at around 1.30 a.m. after sawing off iron grills in his cell at the Maguindanao prison.
It was not immediately known why jail guards failed to notice the escape.
Just early this year, Samad’s followers, armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons, stormed a jail facility in Kidapawan City and tried to spring their leader, but failed.
Three people were killed in the raid after gunmen fired their weapons on the jail, but guards repulsed the attackers.
Authorities warned the public to report any sightings of the fugitives. Police and military also mounted an operation to recapture the prisoners. (With a report from Geonarri Solmerano)
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