AN escapee from the Marawi City Jail surrendered to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) chief, Director Serafin Barretto Jr., on Monday.
Marawi City Jail Inmate Mohaderin Banding Acampong, who is charged with murder, was among the 107 inmates freed by Maute bandits from the Marawi City Jail and Malabang District Jail on Lanao del Sur.
“Acampong, who stayed in Novaliches, Quezon City, for weeks, is now in our custody. We are happy that he chose to surrender,” Barretto said.
“We are here to ensure his safety back into the fold of the law. We know that, like him, there are other escapees who are still waiting for the right chance but I can assure them, they will be safer with us,” he added.
Barretto credited the effective implementation of the inmate’s welfare and development at the Marawi City Jail.
It encouraged inmate Acampong to surrender, especially the religious activities being conducted in the jail.
“I understand that it will be a tough decision on their part to leave their family again but I assure them of a significant deduction on their possible sentence through the immediate granting of good conduct time allowance or with other incentives provided by law,” Barretto said.
Out of the 107 escapees, seven inmates have already surrendered to the BJMP.
Meanwhile, all personnel in Marawi City and Malabang jails were deployed to different assignments in Iligan City and General Santos City to augment personnel on duty while government forces are exerting efforts to restore peace and order in the city.
In his speech during the traditional Monday flag-raising ceremony, Barretto urged other inmates, who were freed, especially their families, to coordinate with the BJMP should they need further assistance on their plan to surrender.
The BJMP chief also ordered all regional directors in Mindanao to remain vigilant and to ensure the safety of all inmates and personnel under their care.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes