By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The fifth escapee of the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) is reported to have sent surrender feelers to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Western Visayas.

In a radio interview with Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod on Friday, August 6, BJMP-6 spokesperson Atty. Jairus Anthony Dogelio said they have been receiving reports that Alejandro Montoya is ready to surrender to authorities due to concerns for his safety.

Dogelio said they already had some leads on Montoya’s whereabouts after questioning fellow escapees Daniel Tamon and Francisco Epogon.

Montoya’s family has also coordinated with the BJMP and they will cooperate in the ongoing search.

Dogelio also left a message to the final fugitive to surrender, promising he will not be harmed and his rights will be respected.

Last June 29, Montoya, Epogon, Tamon, and brothers Marvin and Danilo Celeste bolted out of the NODJ in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City in Negros Occidental.

The Celeste brothers were ultimately killed in separate gun battles with police.

Tamon was recaptured two days after the escape in Barangay Blumentritt in Murcia town, while Epogon was recaptured last July 24 at Barangay Amontay, Binalbagan town./DGB, WDJ