10 inmates escape from Batangas jail

This screengrab from a video shared by the Batangas Provincial Police Office shows authorities arresting five escaped inmates aboard a bus along the northbound lane of the Star Tollway in Santo Tomas City on Monday afternoon, July 28, 2025. —SCREENGRAB FROM VIDEO COURTESY OF BATANGAS PPO

LUCENA CITY—Ten inmates escaped from the Batangas Provincial Jail in Ibaan town on Monday morning, according to the police.

A report from the Calabarzon Police Regional Office (PRO-4A) said the escape occurred while a jail guard was escorting the inmates to the jail’s public utility area. One of the prisoners allegedly brandished an ice pick and seized the guard’s service firearm.

Taking advantage of the commotion, several other inmates fled on foot toward Barangay Quilo from the jail facility in Barangay Malainin.

As of Monday afternoon, five of the escapees had voluntarily surrendered to authorities, said Lt. Col. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson for PR0-4A.