By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
KOROR, Palau — Authorities are urging the public to be on high alert as an intensive manhunt continues for a dangerous inmate who escaped from the Palau Prison Facility-Division of Corrections on Sunday morning.
Suki Temael, 42, broke out of the prison at about 9:17 a.m. on Aug. 10. The government is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Justice Minister Jennifer Olegeriil said during a press briefing Monday that the public was alerted to the escape through social media posts, email notifications and mass text messages sent by the Palau National Communications Corp. She stressed that a “24-hour organized search operation” is underway.
Temael, who is 5-foot-2 and weighs about 120 pounds, is serving sentences for second-degree murder, aggravated assault and robbery. Authorities have warned that he is dangerous and should not be approached.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage to trace his possible escape route and working with PNCC to analyze text and call records for leads.
“We urge every member of the community to stay vigilant and report any sightings or information that could lead to his capture,” Olegeriil said. She noted that tips can be made by calling 488-1422 or 488-5000, by contacting any police officer directly, or through any preferred communication channel.
The minister said an investigation into how Temael escaped is running concurrently with the search effort, but stressed that “we must prioritize finding the escaped prisoner” before focusing on internal findings.
Olegeriil also warned that aiding or harboring the fugitive is a serious crime punishable by stiff legal penalties.
“This is a dangerous individual,” she said. “We need the full cooperation of the public to ensure his swift capture and to protect the safety of our communities.”