A manhunt continues for two men who escaped from prison on June 6, and police believe are being harboured by persons on Tongatapu, while the prisons officers and police are appealing to the public to step forward with any information regarding the two men.

The Commissioner of Prisons Sione Falemanu told Matangi Tonga Online today, July 7, that the two prisoners Sione Uatekini (25) from Tatakamotonga and Peni 'Inia (21) from Tu'anuku, Vava'u who lived at Kanokupolu had remained at large for 31 days now.

He believed that members of the public were harboring these two men and they moved from one place to another making it difficult to be spotted or located.

"We have received some reports from members of the public who thought they saw them. The latest was a report they were sighted in Nukunuku but when my team got there they were nowhere to be found," he said.

Up to 30 prison wardens have divided up into three teams and two teams are out every day on the manhunt while one team is based at Hu'atolitoli Prison with the assistance of the police who are on standby.

"It's been over a month now, so I am looking to step up our approach and hold more public programs on television appealing for any information on the two escapees. To inform those who are harboring these two men of the serious consequences they face and may be even offer a cash reward for any information," he said.

The two prisoners had escaped from the old and less secure prison compound numerous times over the last few years with their last escape in July last year when they were at large for 36 days until they were recaptured. "But it is very frustrating that up to this point there have been no reliable leads," he said.

It was the first escape from the new secure prison compound that was constructed at a cost of $1.4 million pa'anga and opened in August last year.