Joint operatives of the Bureau of Immigration and Philippine National Police arrested five Chinese nationals suspected to be members of a kidnap for ransom syndicate victimizing Chinese tourists in the country and rescued a Chinese man they kidnapped.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said agents from the BI Fugitive Search Unit and PNP-Anti Kidnapping Group arrested the suspects in a raid in Sampaloc Street, Casimiro Village, Las Piñas City.
“In the operation, the team rescued a Chinese man who was being held captive while awaiting payment for the ransom money,” Morente said.
Arrested were identified as Wang Rui, Li Ming, Ju Wenping, Liu Ming, and Li Sanjiu, while the rescued victim’s name was withheld to protect his family. Their hometown addresses were not disclosed.
“We received a request from the PNP-AKG to conduct joint operations against two Chinese nationals involved in the kidnapping of their compatriots last year,” Morente said.
The BI official said the foreigners had already victimized a number of Chinese who were released after paying ransom.
“During the raid, the gang’s leader who had been wanted in China eluded arrest and continued to stay in their hideout with more victims,” he said.
BI FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo said the rescued victim, whose name had been withheld for his protection, arrived in the country as tourist.
The suspects are now in the custody of the PNP-AKG and criminal charges will be filed against them.