
PNP-AKG agents rescue kidnapped Chinese, 2 abductors arrested
A 29-year-old male Chinese national said to have been kidnapped and tortured by his four compatriots last January 20 was safely rescued, Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) director, Colonel Elmer E. Ragay said yesterday.
In a report to PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the official said that the victim was rescued in SM Aura, Global City, Taguig where two of his kidnappers-one male and a female were also arrested and are now undergoing thorough investigation.
In a report to PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the official said that the victim was rescued in SM Aura, Global City, Taguig where two of his kidnappers-one male and a female were also arrested and are now undergoing thorough investigation.
Col. Ragay said that prior to the rescue operation, the Chinese Consulate in Makati City sent them a letter-complaint regarding the case which is the latest involving Chinese nationals being kidnapped for ransom by their fellows from Mainland China.
An investigation showed that the victim whose name was withheld was abducted at around 2:30 a.m. last January 20 by four armed suspects who dragged him into their getaway Sports Utility Vehicle.
After being brought to the kidnappers’ hideout, the victim was reportedly tortured by the suspects who later contacted his family in China and threatened to kill their captive if they did not pay their 60,000 Yuan ransom demand.
A video was also sent to the victim’s family showing him being tortured.
Col. Ragay said that after seeing the supposed ‘torture video,’ the victim’s family was able to pay a total of 49,000 RMB or around P395,000 to the kidnappers. The family later sought the help of the Chinese Embassy who in turn reported the alleged kidnapping-for-ransom case to the PNP-AKG.
During negotiations, the kidnappers agreed to release the victim upon payment of the remaining 11,000 Yuan. However, the suspects’ location was identified through a video call they made triggering the launching of the rescue operation.
Col. Ragay said that following coordinating with the SM Aura management, his men were able to rescue the victim and capture two of the kidnappers who were found in possession of two Okada casino membership cards and two Melco membership cards from the City of Dreams casino.
The victim and the suspects were immediately brought to the PNP-AKG headquarters in Camp Crame after the successful anti-kidnapping operation. The two suspects will be facing criminal charges for kidnapping-for-ransom and serious illegal detention before the Department of Justice.
It was the 2nd similar case to be resolved by the PNP-AKG this year.
Last January 9, the PNP-AKG also arrested two suspects in the kidnapping of a 22-year-old female Chinese national whom they lured into a meeting in Manila after a series of online conversations.
A PNP-AKG investigation showed that the victim was fetched by the two Chinese suspects at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City shortly after she arrived in the country last January 7.
While on board a car, the victim was threatened with a gun and blindfolded by the two who seized her mobile phone and forced her to give her account passwords. As a result, they managed to withdraw 737,516 RMB from her bank account and even got a US20,000 loan after being forced to undress and was photographed while in the nude.
After the victim was released last January 9, the suspects continued to threaten and blackmail her promoting her to seek the PNP-AKG assistance. A follow-up operation led in the arrest of one of the Chinese suspects identified as alias ‘Dongdong’ and his Filipino pal. They were charged with kidnapping.
Col. Ragay commended the members of the AKG who were involved in the successful operation as well as officers from the Parañaque City Police Station and the Northern Police District Mobile Force Battalion who supported them.