Screengrab from Zet Tyler

In a dramatic turn of events early Monday morning, five of the eight inmates who had escaped from the Batangas Provincial Jail were recaptured after taking civilians hostage aboard an Alps Bus along the Star Tollway. The incident unfolded near the boundary between Tanauan and Sto. Tomas City in Batangas, sending shockwaves through the local community and drawing swift response from law enforcement.

According to authorities, the escape took place earlier that day, prompting an immediate manhunt. The fugitives, desperate to avoid capture, hijacked a passing Alps Bus, holding its passengers hostage in a tense standoff that gripped both the public and responding police units.

Police forces acted quickly and decisively, successfully apprehending five of the escapees and securing the release of the hostages. Thankfully, no casualties were reported, and the passengers were brought to safety.

As of this writing, three escapees remain at large, and efforts to locate them are ongoing. Law enforcement has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that may aid in their capture.

Officials have yet to release further details regarding how the inmates managed to escape from the provincial facility. An internal investigation is underway to determine whether security lapses contributed to the breakout.

This incident has sparked renewed concerns about jail security and the protocols in place to prevent such escapes. In the meantime, authorities continue their pursuit of the remaining fugitives and have assured the public that all resources are being deployed to ensure their swift apprehension.