MANILA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen inmates at a police jail in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines escaped before dawn on Tuesday, local police said.

Police Senior Superintendent Vincent Neri Ignacio of the Zamboanga City said 12 of the 17 inmates were recaptured a few hours after the jailbreak. Five escapists are being hunted down.

Ignacio said the inmates, who are facing drug charges, destroyed the detention padlock using a handsaw.

He said only one jail officer was manning the detention cell when the jailbreak occurred around 02:50 a.m. local time, making it easy for the prisoners to bolt.

The police immediately launched a manhunt to prevent the inmates from getting out of the city.

Ignacio also ordered the relatives of the inmates to surrender their fugitive kins within 24 hours or face charges for harbouring wanted persons.

Ignacio has already relieved the police jail personnel for their negligence, saying administrative charges will be filed against them.