FOUR Chinese nationals were arrested after allegedly trying to abduct their fellow countryman over a casino gambling-related debt.
Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) Director Jonnel Estomo identified the arrested suspects as Zhao Liang, 31; Liu Tao, 34; Li Lin, 28 anf Jin Ning, 29.
The victim, identified as Li Xin, arrived in the country on July 24 from China to work in a Philippine Online Gaming Operator (Pogo) in Makati City.
On August 24, 2019 at about 2 p.m., Li went to Okada Resort and Casino in ParaƱaque City with his friend to gamble.
After he lost at the baccarat game, the suspects approached him and offered to lend him P200,000 at 20 percent interest from every winning bet.
He lost P140,000 and tried to return the remaining money to the suspects.
However, the suspects invited him to go outside the hotel premises to settle the matter.
Li panicked and made a commotion which caught the attention of the hotel's security personnel.
The suspects, together with the victim, were brought inside the security office where Li said the group was threatening him after he failed to give them back their money.
The hotel's security officer then called the police and reported the matter.
The suspects were arrested inside the said office.
Since 2017, the PNP-AKG has recorded 54 cases of casino-related kidnappings wherein almost all of the suspects and victims are Chinese.
The group also arrested and filed cases against more than 120 Chinese. (SunStar Philippines)