DFA trying to confirm if Filipino is among inmates who fled when quake hit Indonesian jail

October 1, 2018

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Monday is trying to find out the condition of a Filipino who was reported to be among hundreds of prisoners who escaped from the Lapas Penitentiary in the aftermath of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi on Friday.

The Philippine Consulate General in Manado said the Filipino detainee, who was earlier reported to be safe, was later reported to have joined the mass jailbreak after the prison was damaged by the earthquake.

The Filipino is serving a prison term until 2021 after he was convicted for possession of methamphetamine following his arrest in 2011.

Consul General Oscar Orcine said they are coordinating with authorities where the Filipino is as power and communications lines have not been restored. DMS