THE New Bilibid Prison has been placed on a temporary lockdown following the escape of an inmate, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said on Tuesday.
He said Manuel Paril Jr., who was convicted of homicide and frustrated homicide, escaped at 12:30 a.m. from the control gate of the maximum security compound.
He said he immediately ordered an investigation to find out the possible liabilities of the prison guards for the incident.
Records showed that Paril was supposed to be released this month after completing his sentence.
He was previously released on parole but was brought back to the NBP after violating its conditions.
“The NBP is on a temporary shutdown pending the completion of search operations,” Bureau of Corrections Director Benjamin Delos Santos said in a text message.
“There is a possibility escapee Paril is still within the prison grounds.”
Initial findings showed that Paril was at the control gate when he broke an access door to the second floor of the administration building.
He is considered second most-wanted person in Quezon Province.
While he was about to complete his sentence for the homicide and frustrated homicide cases, he is still facing two charges for rape in Gumaca, Quezon.