Police foiled the daring attempt of 11 armed men, headed by foreigners, to free an alleged crime syndicate boss from the custody of jail personnel in Parañaque City on Monday, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team not only foiled the rescue plot but also arrested six armed men who ambushed the vehicle of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) transporting the alleged Chinese criminal syndicate leader.
Aberin said the 11 armed men, on board a black sedan and a multi-purpose vehicle, immediately blocked a BJMP vehicle at the service road of the Cavitex at around 12:30 p.m. on Monday.
The armed men immediately opened fire at the BJMP vehicle but the two jail guards stood their ground and even traded shots with them until the responding SWAT operatives from Parañaque City arrived.
The attackers immediately fled without their boss but were pursued by the SWAT team.
During the chase, one of the two vehicles of the suspects, a Mitsubishi Xpander, crashed into the Wetland Park.
The occupants abandoned the vehicle to seek refuge in the nearby mangrove forest but were later arrested.
“Five unidentified individuals who were aboard the black sedan remain at large, and authorities are actively pursuing them,” said Aberin.
THE BOSS
Aberin said the subject of the rescue operation was Hu Yang, an alleged leader of a criminal syndicate engaged in kidnapping, carnapping, extortion and gun-running activities.
Hu was on his way back to the BJMP facility in Barangay La Huerta in Parañaque City from a court hearing when the incident happened.
Hu was arrested in Parañaque City last year. He is reportedly wanted in China for kidnapping charges but he remains under police custody as he was also facing criminal charges from the local court.
Based on the initial investigation, the four Filipinos were paid to assist in the rescue plan.
Police said a string of criminal charges, including frustrated and attempted murder, will be slapped against the suspects before the Parañaque Prosecutor’s Office through inquest proceedings.
Aberin said a manhunt is now ongoing against the other suspects.
“The NCRPO is resolute in its efforts to track down the remaining suspects and ensure that every individual involved in this criminal act is brought to the full force of the law,” he said.
He lauded the Parañaque police leadership and SWAT teams for helping foil the attempt to rescue the Chinese suspect, and conducting pursuit that led to the arrest of the suspects.
Aberin also congratulated the BJMP personnel who stood their ground and successfully thwarted the audacious attempt to free a high-profile detainee.
“Your bravery and presence of mind are commendable and illustrate your deep sense of courage as agents of security,” he said. (Aaron Recuenco)
