FOUR Chinese nationals were arrested over the kidnapping of two of their fellow citizens in a posh hotel in Parañaque City.
In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group Director Police Brigadier General Glicerio Cansilao said the rescue of the victims stemmed from a 911 call.
On August 1, one of the victims, a Chinese national, sought assistance from the suspects in transferring P150,000 to China for his mother’s medical expenses.
After handing over an initial P100,000, the suspects convinced the victim to accompany them to a casino under the pretense of completing the money transfer.
While en route, the suspects restrained the victim with handcuffs, threatened him with a firearm, and demanded a larger amount in exchange for his freedom.
The victim was physically harmed and forced to transfer approximately 50,000 USDT from his cryptocurrency wallet.
Despite the threats, the victim managed to cleverly borrow a phone from one of the suspects, allowing him to contact a friend, who then reported the incident to 911, which alerted the Parañaque City Police Station.
Upon arriving at the hotel room, police found six individuals, including the victim.
It was also revealed that another occupant of the room, a female Chinese national, was likewise a victim of the group.
Charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention have been filed against the suspects.
In the same press briefing, PNP chief General Nicolas Torre III said the suspects were former workers of the now-defunct Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo).
“Well, ito ‘yung naging offshoot nung mga nawalan ng trabaho, mga foreigners, nawalan ng trabaho. So a matter of time bago natin maubos at ibalik sa kanilang mga pinanggalingan kapag hindi sila makahanap ng legal na hanapbuhay dito sa bansa natin kapalit nung kanilang unang pagpunta rito. So they will be subjected to immigration laws, labor laws and other penal laws na applicable sa kanila,” Torre said.
(Well, this is the result of foreigners who lost their jobs. It’s only a matter of time before we are able to locate them all and send them back to their countries of origin if they fail to find legal employment here to justify their continued stay. They will be subject to immigration laws, labor laws, and other applicable penal laws.)
Torre said they are in continuous coordination with the Bureau of Immigration as well as with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission for the arrest of these illegal aliens. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)