Unidentified gunmen with apparent links to a Muslim rebel group attacked a jail in the city of Kidapawan in the southern Philippines early Wednesday morning and freed at least 130 inmates.

A firefight which involved more than 100 men and lasted for hours killed a guard and freed the inmates in what was described as a "well-planned" escape.

"The [inmates] took chances because of the volume of fire," said Superintendent Peter Bongat, warden at the North Cotabato District Jail. "They used their bedding, piled them on top of each other to escape."

According to Bongat, the rebel commander behind the assault was from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The government signed a peace deal with MILF in 2014, but clashes still occur with smaller groups.

Army, police searching for escapees

Early estimates say between 130 and 154 inmates were able to escape the jail, which houses 1,511 inmates. Some who escaped were later recaptured. Kidapawan police chief Superintendent Leo Ajero said army and police were searching for both those responsible for the attack on the jail and the escaped inmates.

Several prison breaks have occurred on the southern island of Mindanao, where Wednesday's attack occurred. Mindanao is the ancestral homeland of Muslims in the predominately Catholic country of the Philippines.

The region has seen a decades-old Muslim separatist insurgency and criminal gangs, with some members supporting the so-called "Islamic State" (IS). Pro-IS extremists freed 23 inmates in a series of escapes in 2016.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Imprisoned in the open air Inmates who cannot be accommodated in the prison cells sleep on the ground in the open air. At present, it's rainy season in the Philippines. And in the current tropical temperatures, it's raining almost every day.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Sleeping on several floors Whoever possesses a hammock should consider themselves lucky. The prison, which was built 60 years ago, has a capacity to house 800 inmates. But today there are as many as 3,800.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Hardly any room to breathe Every nook and corner in the prison is occupied. Most of the prisoners sleep on either thin sheets or bare concrete floor.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Staying strong A prisoner toughens up his muscles in an exercise room.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Strict rules Signboards remind inmates of prison rules. The handcuffed prisoners shown here are awaiting their trial.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Cleaning service One prisoner cleans the toilet while the others try to kill time.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Washing and bathing room Only occasionally can the prisoners free themselves of sweat, filth and stench.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Night confinement A guard locks the gate in the evening, while the inmates get ready for another night in the overcrowded prison.

A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons Uncompromising Many hold newly elected President Duterte responsible for the inhumane situation. His campaign against drugs has shown no mercy. He has called on the people to kill drug addicts, which has led to an unprecedented wave of vigilantism in the Southeast Asian nation. Cases have been filed against 600,000 drug dealers and addicts so far, completely overwhelming the justice system. Author: Rodion Ebbighausen / sri



kbd/cmk (AFP, AP, Reuters)