DFA locates missing Filipino inmate in Indonesia

The Filipino inmate who was earlier reported missing following a mass jailbreak during the earthquake in Palu, Indonesia has been located, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.

The Philippine Consulate General in Manado, in a report submitted to Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, said the Filipino inmate is safe and in good condition.

Consul General Oscar Orcine said the inmate has been staying with a friend near Pitogo Village in Palu since leaving prison following the earthquake that struck Central Sulawesi on September 28.

Orcine said the Filipino informed him that they were permitted by the warden of the Lapas Penitentiary to seek refuge elsewhere after the prison wall collapsed due to the earthquake.

The inmate, who is serving 14 years in prison for possession of illegal drugs, said he could not be contacted because the cellular signal was lost and his phone battery ran out, Orcine said.

The Filipino is a native of Sulu, according to Orcine, but he was tired, lacked sleep and has limited stock of food and water but was otherwise fine.

The consul general assured that he has asked local contacts to provide food and water to the Filipino inmate.

He added that the Filipino assured him that he will return to the penitentiary and to report to the warden as he wants to complete his sentence and not complicate matters for himself by failing to return.

Orcine noted that the Filipino is the longest serving detainee at the penitentiary and has been in prison for seven years. He is also tasked to help manage 800 inmates in the facility

The warden has actually recommended the Filipino inmate for parole, which the consulate general is helping facilitate, Orcine added. /ee

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