This was an armed rescue operation that could rival a movie plot—11 gunmen, led by foreigners, attempted to forcibly hijack a prison van to rescue a Chinese crime syndicate leader accused of kidnapping, extortion, and arms smuggling, but ultimately failed.
Under the swift response of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), this daring ambush on CAVITEX (Cavite Expressway) was successfully thwarted, with 6 suspects captured on the spot.
According to Major General Anthony Abellan of the NCRPO, this rescue attempt occurred around 12:30 PM on April 7th. The 11 armed individuals, traveling in a black sedan and a multi-purpose vehicle, intercepted the vehicle of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on a service road in Cavite.
The attackers opened fire fiercely on the prison van, attempting to quickly snatch the person. However, two prison officers remained calm and steadfast, putting up a strong resistance and successfully delaying the attackers until the Paranaque City SWAT team urgently arrived. As the SWAT team arrived, the attacking gang quickly dispersed, with one of the suspects' Mitsubishi Xpander crashing into a tree and becoming disabled. The suspect fled into the mangrove wetlands and was eventually captured.
However, five armed individuals in another black sedan are still at large. The police have launched a comprehensive manhunt.
Rescue Target Exposed: The Notorious "Hu Yang"
Abellan revealed that the target of this operation was a sensitive Chinese detainee, Hu Yang, also known as "Brother Qi." He is a key figure in multiple major criminal cases, including kidnapping, robbery, extortion, and arms smuggling. Hu Yang had also been wanted in China for his involvement in a 2022 Makati kidnapping case and several violent incidents.
At the time of the jailbreak, Hu Yang was being transported back to the BJMP detention facility in La Huerta Village, Paranaque City. Despite being a fugitive in China, he is still detained in the Philippines due to other local criminal cases and has not been deported.
According to preliminary investigations, the four Filipino suspects arrested admitted that they were hired to assist in this rescue operation, each receiving a certain payment.
The Paranaque Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation procedure, proposing multiple charges against the suspects involved, including attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and obstruction of justice.
NCRPO Vows to Punish Fugitives: No Challenge to Law Enforcement Authority
Abellan emphasized that the capital's police will "exhaust all means" to capture the remaining fugitives, ensuring that all involved parties are legally sanctioned.
He also affirmed the effectiveness of the rapid deployment strategy, stating that "maximizing street response capabilities and maintaining coordinated action among units are key to successfully thwarting such sudden incidents." He praised the BJMP personnel for their dedication under gunfire and thanked the Paranaque City police and SWAT team for their brave cooperation.
"Your decisive response and firm will were key to successfully stopping the criminals," Abellan added.
Currently, 6 suspects are detained at the Paranaque City Police Station, awaiting further legal proceedings, while concerns and investigations into Hu Yang's transnational criminal network prompt deeper security concerns and tracking.
