The military is willing to help, if asked, with the manhunt for fugitive Chang Hsi-ming (
"According to Article 249 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (
Article 249 says, "If necessary, a prosecutor may request a nearby military commander to send troops to assist."
PHOTO: LIN KUO-HSIEN, TAIPEI TIMES
Asked whether the military will deploy members of its special forces or regular soldiers to help if prosecutors file their application, Huang said senior officers will discuss operations with police and make suggestions before any troops are sent.
"We will take into consideration how many soldiers are required, what kinds of soldiers are asked for and what kind of military weapons will be needed," he said.
However, as of press time yesterday, prosecutors had not yet asked for the military's help.
Monday gunbattle
Chang and three accomplices shocked the nation by engaging in a massive gunbattle with police as they attempted to escape a raid early Monday morning on a farm in Taliao, Kaohsiung County.
More than 300 police officers and SWAT team members took part in the raid. Police estimate that more than 3,000 bullets were fired during the shootout.
Chang and Chen were able to escape after seizing two hostages and a car, but Lin Kuo-chung (
An estimated 200 SWAT team members took part in the search for the two fugitives in mountainous areas in Tainan County yesterday while police set up roadblocks in the area and conducted a series of raids.
There was no sign of the pair.
The Chinese-language media reported yesterday that the police had sought permission to use a military armored vehicle for Monday's raid but were turned down -- forcing the police to improvise their own"armored" vehicles by loading maintainance vehicles with sandbags.
National Police Agency's Criminal Investigation Bureau Commissioner Hou You-yi (
The police decided to use their own gear because, "We can take care of this," he said.
Kidnapping ring
Chang and his colleagues became wanted fugitives after they were implicated in a recent kidnapping.
Last Tuesday there were reports that Yang Shang-shu (
The Yangs had remained silent about the alleged abduction and ransom payment.
Hohsin is one of the nation's major bus companies, posting annual profits of more than NT$20 million.
Lee and Lin reportedly admitted to involvement in four kidnapping cases that the Chang Hsi-ming gang is suspected of being behind.
Meanwhile, four police officers who were injured in Monday's gunfight are reported to be in good condition.
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