THE Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) is being confronted by new foes nowadays: foreign nationals faking their own kidnapping to get money from their parents abroad, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

This became evident anew following the arrest last week of two Chinese nationals who were accused of staging a kidnapping yarn to milk the family of one of the accused who is now being held at the PNP-AKG headquarters in Camp Crame.

PNP-AKG director, Brigadier General Rodolfo D. Castil Jr. said they discovered that the alleged kidnapping-for-ransom (KFR) victim has been reported to have been abducted in the country at least three times prompting the Chinese Embassy to ask their help in addressing the incident.

A PNP-AKG operation led to the ‘rescue’ of the supposed victim and the arrest of his compatriot. An ensuing AKG investigation showed the alleged ‘kidnapper’ and his supposed victim were wanted in Mainland China, said PNP-AKG spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Manongdo.

“Sa loob ng isang buwan tatlong beses siyang na-kidnap at nag-dig deeper tayo. Naging modus operandi na nya ito nag-aakto na na-kidnap siya at nagpapadala ng ransom ang kanyang pamilya mula sa Mainland China,” the official told the Journal Group.

Lt. Col. Manongdo said they found out that the two Chinese nationals asked for a P200,000 ransom during their first kidnapping operation. For their second case, the two demanded P600,000 and asked a whopping P1 million for the 3rdkidnapping yarn.

The PNP-AKG spokesperson said they also discovered that the ‘proof of life’ or pictures the kidnap victim had sent to his family abroad during the three incidents were all his ‘selfies.’

Brig. Gen. Castil said they are looking into similar modus operandi by some Chinese POGO workers to concoct a ‘kidnap-me’ yarn to be able to earn money for their own selves at the expense of their families abroad and local authorities.

The official issued the public advisory amid the recovery of the Chinese national and the arrest of the 2nd inside a purported POGO building in Bgy. Tambo, Parañaque City.

The recovery of the Chinese national was triggered by a complaint from Cao Kaiwen of the Chinese Embassy which prompted the PNP-AKG to conduct the operation with the assistance of the Parañaque City Police Station.

The operation led to the arrest of a suspect identified as Hu Chuan Wang who turned out to be wanted in Mainland China.

He said the Chinese national identified as Su Silong was found inside the Sinocan Building located on Legaspi Street corner B. Cabrera Drive in Bgy. Tambo 2 p.m. Thursday.

An investigation showed that initially, the Chinese Embassy received a complaint from the victim of Silong who claimed he was forcibly abducted by unidentified armed men while he was on his way to a restaurant last Sunday.

The suspects reportedly demanded a P1 million ransom for his safe release, the complainant said.

However, the PNP-AKG investigation showed they discovered that the victim had already been ‘sold’ to the Yong Long POGO Company which is holding office at the Sinocan Building.

AKG investigators likewise found out that the same victim had also complained he was first kidnapped last April 17 and released but was again abducted on April 24. His purported May 13 kidnapping was the 3rd incident he reported.

Brig. Gen. Castil said they have sought the help of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in investigating the background of the two Chinese nationals for the filing of appropriate criminal charges against them.

Lt. Col. Manongdo said they have also received multiple reports about the presence of fake AKG agents ‘rescuing’ POGO employees in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions.

The official said the suspects’ modus operandi is to pose as ‘rescuers’ of POGO employees although their only goal is to earn money by selling the individuals back to the company where they were taken from.

“This turns what should have been a rescue into an incredibly terrifying experience for both POGO employees and employers alike. Rather than taking them to a police station as would normally be done, employers are forced to ‘purchase’ the freed hostages in order for them to continue working with the company and avoid any legal repercussions,” Lt. Col. Manongdo said.

According to the PNP-AKG spokesman, the suspects have been trying to make it appear they are genuine ‘AKG officers’ each time they hit a target.

“The PNP-AKG has been effective in doing its mandate in fighting kidnapping-for–ransom syndicates and now we are challenged again by this police impersonators doing anti-kidnapping operations just to continue their illegal activities. With this, I urge the public to become cautious and to exercise their rights if they are being arrested.

“We call on the public to ask for legal documents from persons claiming to be AKG officers so as not to be victimized by this modus operandi,” he said.

Lt. Col. Manongdo said they are continuing efforts to educate the public on how to prevent kidnapping by distributing flyers in different locations and sharing anti-kidnapping tips and other educational materials through their official social media accounts.

He said that they also remain transparent in all their dealings and any complaint against kidnappers will be thoroughly investigated.

The official said they are already coordinating with the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group and other law enforcement agencies their operations to identify and arrest suspects behind the scam.

The Chinese Embassy over the past few years have sought the help of the PNP-AKG in investigating ‘kidnap-me tales’ concocted by some of their nationals in the country in order to force their parents from China to pay the huge debt they incurred while playing in Manila casinos.

In one case, a Chinese national who was reported to have been kidnapped was found to be still working in his work station in Peral Marina Tower in Parañque City.

During questioning, the victim confirmed he owed his former employer P700,000 after losing his money in the casino. As a result, he said he was illegally detained by his former employer and was forbidden from leaving their company unless he settled his debt.

Left with no choice, the victim said he was forced to call his parents in China and told them he had been kidnapped and asked the two to pay his P700,000 debt.