Statement: On the Earthquake and Tsunami in Central Sulawesi

01 October 2018 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is trying to ascertain the condition of a Filipino who was reported to be among hundreds of prisoners who escaped from the Lapas Penitentiary in the aftermath of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that hit Central Sulawesi on Friday.

The Philippine Consulate General in Manado said the Filipino detainee, who was earlier reported to be safe, was later reported to have joined the mass jailbreak after the prison was damaged by the earthquake. The Filipino is serving a prison term until 2021 after he was convicted for possession of methamphetamine following his arrest in 2011.

Consul General Oscar Orcine said the Consulate General is coordinating with authorities in the area on the whereabouts of the Filipino as power and communications lines there have still not been restored. END