AUTHORITIES arrested five Chinese nationals and their Filipina cohort for kidnapping their compatriot Monday afternoon in Paranaque City.

In his report to Southern Police District (SPD) Director P/BGen. Jimili Macaraeg, Paranaque police chief P/Col. Maximo Sebastian, Jr. said the arrest of Hu Yang, 34, Zhang Jie, 28, Cen Sha Lu, 28, all billeted at the City of Dreams, Shen Fa, 27, residing at PBCOM Tower, Ayala Ave, Makati City, Han Xun, 33 of Shore Residence Pasay City and their alleged Filipina cohort Hazel Cotaco, 37, of Brgy. Putatan, Muntinlupa City was the result of an entrapment operation conducted at around 4 p.m. in a hotel located along Bradco Avenue, Brgy. Tambo, Paranaque City.

Investigation showed that at around 4 a.m. on Monday, the suspects allegedly abducted Shaomen Hu, 25, businessman at Monarch Park Suites and held him captive in an unknown place.

At around 11 a.m., the victim’s interpreter Jie Sun, 25 of Brgy. Baclaran, received a message thru WeChat from Shaomen Hu informing him that he was kidnapped by the suspects who demanded P700,000 ransom from him in exchange for his freedom.

Jie Sun sought police assistance which prompted authorities to conduct an entrapment operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspects and rescue of the victim.

Col. Sebastian said that during arrest, Han Xun yielded 1.79 grams of shabu valued at P11,990.00 placed in a clutch bag, plastic tube straw with traces of shabu and P20,000 cash,

Charges of kidnapping and violation of Sections 11 and 12, Article II of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspects before the Paranaque City Prosecutor’s Office.

“Let this serve as a warning to kidnapping syndicate especially those foreign nationals involved in kidnapping their compatriot that we take very serious in fighting lawless elements. We will continue to gain grounds in our battle against well-entrenched kidnap for ransom (KFR) gangs and other forms of lawlessness in our area,” Macaraeg said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Edd Reyes