The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed on Thursday, October 4, that the Filipino inmate who was declared missing following the earthquake and tsunami that hit Palu, Indonesia has been found.
Consul General in Manado, Oscar Orcine, said that the unnamed Filipino, who reportedly escaped a prison in the area following the recent natural disasters that stroke Indonesia, stayed with a friend near Pitogo Village in Palu after the jailbreak.
Orcine said the Filipino inmate, who is serving a 14-year sentence for illegal drug possession, said he had permission from the warden of the Lapas Penitentiary to seek refuge at his friend’s place after the prison wall collapsed due to the earthquake.
The inmate added that he could not be immediately contacted because cellular signal was lost and his mobile phone battery ran out.
The inmate also assured Orcine that he will be returning to the penitentiary and report to the warden to complete his sentence to not worsen his case.
The inmate added that said he enjoys the trust of prison officials who had tasked him to help manage 800 inmates there.
The inmate is currently serving his seventh year in prison and has current recommendation for parole from the warden of the penitentiary.
Photo credit: AP/ Dita Alangkara
