ARMED men with links to Muslim rebels stormed a prison early today in the southern Philippines, killing a guard and freeing more than a 150 inmates including prominent members of a jihadist group, police said.
MILF muslim rebels free 150 inmates from a Philippines prison
The Southeast Asian nation has for decades been plagued by insurgencies by Muslim rebels in its southern islands, with President Rodrigo Duterte seeking to promote broad peace in the predominantly Catholic country.
The gunmen opened fire at guards at the North Cotabato District Jail in Kidapawan city around 1am, prison warden Peter Bongat told a local radio station.
Prison officials inspect the perimeter fence of the district jail
Of the jail's 1,511 inmates, 158 managed to escape and four were recaptured, he said.
“It's well planned. Escapees used blanket as their getaway...We have a manhunt operation,” said Bongat.
Prison personnel patrol during a manhunt for 150 inmates
The rebel commander belonged to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) based on initial information, Bongat said.
In 2014, the government signed a peace deal with the MILF, the biggest Muslim rebel group but clashes still occur with smaller groups.
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