A commotion at the market in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur unraveled after a tricycle driver was spotted and identified to be one of the more than 100 prisoners in Marawi City and the municipality of Malabang set free by terrorist followers of the Maute Group that had engaged security forces in the ongoing violent standoff.
The incident happened just after high noon, and quick response by law enforcers and staff of the local government unit helped collar the suspect, identified as Alinader Batawi.
When compared to his appearance as it appeared in his mug shot, Batawi looks more plump, which he attributes to having stopped doing drugs for a few weeks.
“Bagong buhay na (I’m living a new life),” he muttered, recalling that on the day he was liberated, there were volleys of gunshots before a group of armed men barged into the jail, introducing themselves as followers of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and egging the inmates to join them.
Batawi continued, “when I emerged outside the jail, I went straight to my family who were staying at the evacuation center in Mindanao State University.”
Because of the hardship conditions at the evacuation center, Batawi decided to go out and make a living as a tricycle driver.
He said the consensus of the family was for him to yield to the authorities after things in Marawi settle down: “My mother feared something untoward might happen to me if I give up now while things are still topsy-turvy, when safety and security is so precarious.”
Wahab R. Pangcoga, Barangay chairman of Pagalamatan in Saguiaran, said: “When he was spotted we gave chase and asked for assistance from the police. There were many of us, and he finally was cornered.”
So far, only 16 of those 107 who broke out of jail have been recaptured.
Click and watch this video clip below:
