Escaped prisoners sighted at 'Utulau [1]
Monday, July 18, 2011 - 19:02. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Two escaped prisoners who were spotted at 'Utulau over the weekend have continued to elude prison wardens.
A manhunt continues for the pair of escapees who have been on the loose for 43 days after escaping from Tonga's newly-built prison compound on June 6.
The Commissioner of Prisons Sione Falemanu said today, July 18, that Sione Uatekini and Peni 'Inia had planned their escape. On Saturday July 16 prison officers were tipped off by someone who saw the two prisoners in 'Utulau.
"This male person is acquainted with the two men and knows them," said Sione.
But unfortunately the report came late in the evening and when the prison search team got there and blocked off the village, the escapees had already slipped away.
"I am optimistic that this latest report they will be located soon, since the report was from someone who knew the two men. The problem now is that they are being mobilised and helped by some friends and have access to mobile phones," he said.
The Prison Commissioner said this was, probably, the longest escape he had recorded since 1970's. "It is becoming frustrating but I am confident with that the latest eyewitness report sets us on the right track," he said.
Sione said that the manhunt continues and he is stepping up the search with an undercover operation.
"We want to assure the public we are doing our utmost best," he said.
The two men are the first to have escaped from the new Hu'atolitoli Prison that was opened last year and was built at a cost of $1.4 million pa'anga.