Seven inmates and a prison guard were killed yesterday when a group of Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels and other detainees broke out of a prison in a southern Philippine province, officials said.
A total of 53 prisoners, including 19 Abu Sayyaf rebels, escaped the provincial jail in Isabela City, Basilan province, 900km south of Manila, according to Chief Superintendent Servando Hizon, a regional police director.
The jailbreak occurred despite heightened security in the province to guard against possible retaliatory attacks for the killing of Hamsiraji Sali, an Abu Sayyaf leader wanted by the US, on Thursday.
Sali was killed with five other Abu Sayyaf rebels in a clash with army rangers on the outskirts of Isabela City.
Hizon said breakfast was being served when Abu Sayyaf rebels suddenly seized guns from prison guards.
"The detainees, mostly Abu Sayyaf rebels, rushed up to the guards and grabbed their firearms," he said. "The guards fought back, but one of them was killed while three others were injured."
Basilan Governor Wahab Akbar said guards killed five Abu Sayyaf rebels, while two other inmates were shot dead by pursuing army rangers and policemen. Seven inmates have been recaptured, he said.
Army Colonel Raymundo Ferrer said the escaped prisoners split up into smaller groups and fled the prison area in different directions.
"Troops have been alerted to set up blockades to prevent the escapees from running further," he said.
The military has intensified offensives against the Abu Sayyaf.
Security in Basilan has been stepped up in case the guerrillas launch attacks to avenge Sali's death.
Sali was one of five Abu Sayyaf leaders wanted by the US, which offered nearly US$5 million for information leading to their arrest, killing or conviction.
He was the second of the five to be killed.
In 2002, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya was killed in a clash at sea with Philippine troops.
Akbar said the jailbreak was led by Mubin Iba, an aide of Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon, also wanted by the US.
The Abu Sayyaf is the smallest but also the most violent Muslim rebel group in the southern Philippines.
It has been tagged by Washington as a terrorist organization because of the links it is alleged to have to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.
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