Violent rescue for detained 'crime boss' in Cavitex foiled; NCRPO nabs 6 armed men

It was a daring rescue plan that can only be seen in action movies. 

But the brazen attempt of at least 11 armed men, headed by foreigners, to free an alleged crime syndicate boss from the custody of the jail personnel did not end up the way they want it to be as it was foiled with the help of the quick deployment of elite unit from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said the deployment of members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) foiled the rescue attempt and later resulted in the arrest of the six armed men who ambushed the vehicle of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) transporting the alleged Chinese criminal syndicate boss.

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. 

                                            photo: BJMP

The attackers immediately fled without their boss after the SWAT teams, leading to a hot pursuit which resulted in one of the two vehicles of the suspects, a Mitsubishi Xpander, crashing into a at Wetland Park.

The occupants abandoned the vehicle to seek refuge from 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. 

                                       photo: BJMP

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.”

Quick response

Aberin said the quick deployment of SWAT Team could be attributed to maximized police presence on the streets and active communication between and among the police personnel.

“The proactive presence in the streets is crucial which enabled you to respond immediately to the scene, and your competence and quick thinking in complicated situations proved the game-changer in the pursuit operations,” said Aberin.

                                              photo: BJMP

He then 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”.