Four Chinese nationals have been arrested for the alleged kidnapping of their compatriot on August 2 in Parañaque City, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said on Monday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Torre said the rescue stemmed from a 911 call, which alerted the Parañaque City Police Station. The Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) later took over the case. The four suspects were apprehended on August 2 at a resort and casino in Parañaque.
Initial investigation showed that the 30-year-old male victim had asked a money-lending group to send P150,000 to China for his mother’s medical expenses. After giving an initial P100,000, the suspects convinced him to accompany them to a casino under the pretense of completing the transfer.
En route, the suspects handcuffed the victim, threatened him with a firearm, and demanded more money. He was physically harmed and forced to transfer about $50,000 from his crypto wallet. He later borrowed a phone and contacted a friend, who alerted authorities.
“What they usually do is take the initial amount first… ‘Oh, we’ll exchange this somewhere else because your money is too large, so come with us, or go to our place where the exchange rate is higher.’ Along the way, they restrain the victim,” AKG Director BGen. Glicerio Cansilao told reporters.
The suspects are now detained at the AKG office in Camp Crame and face charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Torre said the group used money exchange as cover and are believed to be former POGO workers. The Bureau of Immigration and PAOCC are coordinating in tracking similar cases.
