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Gunmen storm Philippines prison Gunmen storm Philippines prison
(10 minutes later)
Suspected Muslim rebels have stormed a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing at least 46 prisoners, officials have said. Suspected Muslim rebels have stormed a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing at least 47 prisoners, officials have said.
They said at least 25 attackers with guns and grenade launchers attacked the jail in Kidapawan city, about 960km (600 miles) south of Manila.They said at least 25 attackers with guns and grenade launchers attacked the jail in Kidapawan city, about 960km (600 miles) south of Manila.
They blasted a hole in the prison's wall, before fleeing with the inmates.They blasted a hole in the prison's wall, before fleeing with the inmates.
Reports say two people were wounded during the attack. The authorities have launched a massive manhunt.Reports say two people were wounded during the attack. The authorities have launched a massive manhunt.
"We were caught with our pants down," Emmanuel Pinot, governor of the Mindanao region, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency."We were caught with our pants down," Emmanuel Pinot, governor of the Mindanao region, was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency.
"I have ordered police to shoot these very dangerous people if they will resist arrest. They are better dead than a menace to our communities," the governor said."I have ordered police to shoot these very dangerous people if they will resist arrest. They are better dead than a menace to our communities," the governor said.
Many of those who escaped faced serious charges, such as bombing, murder and kidnapping, officials said. Some of those who escaped faced serious charges, such as murder and kidnapping, officials said.
Several of the escapees had been incarcerated for carrying out bombing campaigns for a separatist group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, that is currently supposed to be observing a ceasefire with the government.
This is the second jail break on Mindanao in recent months.
In December, armed men raided the Cotabato City prison, freeing several Muslim militants.