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Jailbreak frees 31 in Philippines Jailbreak frees 31 in Philippines
(about 2 hours later)
A group of suspected Islamic militants have attacked a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing at least 31 prisoners, prison officials say.A group of suspected Islamic militants have attacked a jail in the southern Philippines, freeing at least 31 prisoners, prison officials say.
Two people, including a prison guard, are believed to have been killed during a gunfight as the prisoners escaped.Two people, including a prison guard, are believed to have been killed during a gunfight as the prisoners escaped.
Basilan Island Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul says gunmen wanted to free Muslim guerrillas in the provincial Isabela city jail, AP reported. Basilan island's Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul told the Associated Press the gunmen had wanted to free Muslim guerrillas held in the jail.
He added other inmates also escaped during the attack early on Sunday. He said other inmates had also escaped during the attack early on Sunday.
Mr Sakalahul said around 30 gunmen broke a concrete wall to get through to the provincial jail. Mr Sakalahul said about 30 gunmen had used sledgehammers to break through the jail's concrete perimeter wall before using boltcutters to cut through padlocks on cell doors.
Pursuit One of the prison guards was killed and another injured during the ensuing clash, provincial police chief Abubakar Tulawie told Reuters news agency.
One of the attackers is also believed to have been killed during the jailbreak. 'High-risk prisoners'
Regional military commander Maj Gen Benjamin Dolorfino said suspected members of the Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf) and suspected militants from the Abu Sayyaf group are believed to have escaped. Regional military commander Maj Gen Benjamin Dolorfino told AP the 31 who escaped included suspected members of a Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (Milf), and suspected militants from the Abu Sayyaf group.
Ch Supt Leonardo Espina said two Milf rebels accused of beheading 10 marines in 2007 were among those who had escaped, AP reported. Two Milf rebels accused of beheading a dozen soldiers on Basilan island in 2007 were among them.
A military and police operation to catch those who carried out the attack and the escapees has begun. "Those two rebel leaders are high-risk prisoners," Mr Tulawie said.
The escape comes just hours before the country's Defence Secretary Norberto Gonzales is due to arrive on the island, which is 550 miles (880km) south of Manila. "We have organised a team together with the military units on the island to pursue them.
Three Abu Sayyaf militants escaped from the same jail last year, while 16 prisoners broke out in 2007. "We've started an internal inquiry to determine responsibility for the lax security in the jail."
Five years ago, 53 inmates overpowered their guards before fleeing. The escape came just hours before the country's Defence Secretary Norberto Gonzales was due to arrive on the island, which is 550 miles (880km) south of Manila.
He is facing calls for emergency rule to be declared on the island because of Islamist violence.
The jail, located in the provincial capital, Isabela city, has a history of jailbreaks.
Three Abu Sayyaf militants escaped from the prison last year, while 16 prisoners broke out in 2007.
Five years ago, 53 inmates overpowered their guards using smuggled firearms and fled the prison.