MANILA: Armed men stormed a prison early on Wednesday in the southernPhilippines, killing a guard, and freeing more than a 150inmates, police said.
The Southeast Asian nation has for decades been plagued byinsurgencies by rebels in its southern islands, withPresident Rodrigo Duterte seeking to promote broad peace in thepredominantly Catholic country.
The gunmen opened fire at guards at the North CotabatoDistrict Jail in Kidapawan city around 1:00 AM (5:00 PM GMT),prison warden Peter Bongat told a local radio station.
Of the jail's 1,511 inmates, 158 managed to escape, and fourwere recaptured, he said."It's well-planned.Escapees used blanket as theirgetaway...We have a manhunt operation," said Bongat.
The rebel commander belonged to the Moro Islamic LiberationFront (MILF) based on initial information, Bongat said.
In 2014, the government signed a peace deal with the MILF,the biggest Muslim rebel group, but clashes still occur withsmaller groups.