6 held in foiled rescue of Chinese inmate

MANILA, Philippines — Eleven armed men led by foreign nationals ambushed officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in a daring attempt to spring a Chinese leader of a crime ring from BJMP custody in Parañaque City on Monday.
The attack by the suspects, which wounded a BJMP officer, was foiled by members of the Parañaque police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, according to National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.
Six suspects – two Chinese and four Filipinos – were arrested. Five others managed to escape and are being hunted by police.
The Filipino suspects were identified as James Lasam, 28; Jerry Ecalde, 30; Jerome Salvador, 31, and John Paul China, 51. The Chinese suspects are Yang Yang Shin, 25, and Wang Hongjie, 25.
They are facing cases of frustrated murder, attempted murder, violations of Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, the Omnibus Election Code and RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act before the Parañaque prosecutor’s office.
The ambush occurred along the Cavitex service road in Barangay San Dionisio.
A van was transporting Hu Yang, 37, a Chinese inmate, back to the BJMP detention facility in Barangay La Huerta after attending a hearing on his kidnapping case at the Makati Regional Trial Court when the incident happened.
Aberin said the suspects, who were in a Mitsubishi Xpander and a black sedan, opened fire at the BJMP van.
The BJMP officers returned fire.
During the exchange, Jail Officer 2 Leif Joseph Talanquines suffered a gunshot to the shoulder. He was taken to the Ospital ng Parañaque for treatment.
Police said the five suspects in the sedan escaped toward the Bulungan market.
The six other gunmen escaped on foot after their vehicle crashed into a tree at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park.
The suspects fled toward a mangrove forest where they were captured by police.
Recovered from the suspects were a .357-caliber revolver, a grenade, bundles of US dollars and a sachet of shabu.
“I commend the courage displayed by our SWAT operatives. Your proactive presence in the streets is crucial, which enabled you to respond immediately to the scene,” Aberin said.
He also lauded the BJMP officers who stood their ground and prevented the gunmen from rescuing Hu.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks law enforcers face daily and underscores their unwavering commitment to their duty,” Aberin said. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Christine Boton
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