Manila, Philippines— Highway patrol officers rammed a cargo truck to a stop on the North Luzon Expressway at around 2 p.m. on October 30, 2026 after armed men hijacked the vehicle and led police on a chase spanning two provinces.
The truck was carrying electronics. The driver told police he was stopped at a checkpoint set up with cones near Meycauayan. Three men with pistols approached. One forced him out at gunpoint. The truck pulled away northbound.
The driver called his dispatcher. The company alerted police. Officers spotted the truck near Bocaue. The driver did not stop when signaled. A pursuit began with speeds reaching over 100 km/h.
Dashcam footage showed the truck weaving between lanes. Police cruisers tried to box it in. The truck clipped a barrier. One patrol car was damaged. Traffic built up for kilometers behind the chase.
"The suspects ignored sirens and kept going," a highway patrol officer said over radio. "They attempted to ram patrol units." Officers said the suspects threw cargo boxes onto the road to block pursuit.
Near San Fernando, the truck slowed after its front tire blew out. Officers moved in and ordered the men out. Two were detained on the highway. A third ran into a field and was caught 20 minutes later. No shots were fired by police.
The cargo was mostly intact. Some boxes were missing. The original driver was brought to the scene to confirm the vehicle. He was not injured but was shaken. Police said he would be interviewed as a witness.
Investigators said the hijacking fits a pattern of organized cargo theft along that corridor. The suspects had no IDs. The truck had fake plates taped over the originals. Police are checking whether the group is linked to prior cases.
The expressway was partially closed for two hours while evidence was collected. The truck was towed to a police impound. Charges for armed robbery and carnapping are being prepared.
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