by: Vanessa Bugtong

Two detainees who escaped from the Tabuk City Police Station earlier this month have surrendered after nearly two weeks of search operations, police said.

Authorities had been looking for the two men for 11 days following their escape on January 4 from the custodial facility of the Tabuk City Police Station.

The first to surrender was Andres Benito Jr., who turned himself in at around 1:45 p.m. on January 15 at Camp Capt. Juan M. Duyan in Bulanao, Tabuk City.

The second escapee, Michael Macagne, surrendered the following day, January 16, at around 9 a.m.

Tabuk Police Provincial Office public information officer PCapt. Ruff Manganip said the suspects claimed they fled out of fear over the seriousness of the crimes they had committed.

Manganip said their surrender was made possible through the combined efforts of the police tracker teams, their families, and PLtCol. Angog, who assisted in the investigation.

After surrendering, the two detainees were brought back to the Tabuk City Police Station, where they will temporarily remain while their transfer to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is being processed.