Twenty convicts break out of Philippines prison

At least 20 convicted murderers, rapists and robbers have escaped a prison in the northern Philippines.

The convicts sawed through iron bars with guitar strings and a hacksaw and escaped from the Ilagan jail.

Guards were watching television as the prisoners made a rope from a blanket and climbed out the opening.

Assistant Eduardo Clarin says police are looking for the prisoners in the hills near the prison in Isabela province.

He said authorities were questioning the guards of the Isabela Provincial Prison to determine why they didn't hear the breakout.

"It's difficult to explain because there were 20 (escaped convicts)," Mr Clarin said.