Chinese criminal’s ‘extraction’ attempt foiled

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported Tuesday that six individuals were arrested after a failed attempt to snatch an alleged Chinese criminal syndicate boss from a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) vehicle.

Reports disclosed that the incident occurred on a service road of the Cavitex expressway in Parañaque City where the BJMP vehicle was escorting the Chinese criminal identified as Hu Yang following a hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court.

Investigations showed that two vehicles blocked the BJMP transport and the suspects fired upon the vehicle, prompting jail personnel to return fire and forcing the armed men to retreat. Hu was secured and returned to the jail facility.

One of the fleeing vehicles crashed into a tree, and the suspects fled on foot toward the mangrove forest at the Las-Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park. Six of them were apprehended with the assistance of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) forces.

Those arrested were identified as Filipinos James Bales Lasam, Jerom Pascua Salvador, Jerry Calino Escalde, John Paul Chua and Chinese nationals Yang Yang Shin and Wang Hongjie.

Authorities recovered a replica grenade, several US dollar bills, a .357 Magnum revolver with live ammunition, one fired cartridge case, and suspected illegal drugs and drug-related paraphernalia from the suspects.

Jail Officer 2 Leif Joseph Talanquines sustained a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and was taken to Ospital ng Parañaque.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin commended the Parañaque police and SWAT teams for their role in foiling the attempt.

“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 a game-changer in the pursuit operations,” Aberin said in a statement.

Aberin said Hu is an alleged leader of a criminal syndicate involved in kidnapping, carnapping, extortion, and gun-running. Hu was arrested in Parañaque City last year and is reportedly wanted in China for kidnapping charges.

Reports also indicate that the four Filipino suspects were paid to assist in the attempted rescue and a string of criminal charges — including frustrated and attempted murder — will be filed against the arrested individuals.