Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 12) — The Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) recorded more kidnapping cases involving foreign nationals this week.
PNP-AKG spokesperson PLtCol Jowel Saliba on Thursday said they rescued one Chinese national on Tuesday and one Taiwanese on Wednesday. They were abducted because of casino- and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO)-related issues.
With the first case, two Chinese nationals were arrested for illegally detaining a fellow Chinese in a hotel in Parañaque City. The PNP-AKG received information from the friend of the victim that a certain Lin Wei has been detained for five days.
PLtCol Villaflor Banawagan, AKG Luzon field commander, said the victim told them he was playing at Solaire Resort & Casino on December 4 when he was approached by Chinese loan shark syndicates to lend him P1 million. When he wasn’t able to pay immediately, they brought him to a hotel room and threatened him.
“Sa (at the) room, Chinese suspects asked him to ask money from his family to pay them. And if he can’t pay them, they threatened to kill him and throw him at a cemetery,” he said in a media briefing.
Authorities said arrested Chinese nationals, Ren Hung Han and Liang Huan, face kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention charges.
For the second case, 34-year-old Taiwanese Tu Chi-Ping was rescued at his temporary residence in San Pedro, Laguna, according to a statement of the police anti-kidnapping group.
Authorities are tracking down those behind the illegal detention of the Taiwanese.
Kidnapping cases involving Chinese nationals have risen in the last three years, according PNP-AKG. Data show incidents doubled from 2017 to November 2019. In 2019 alone, at least 58 Chinese nationals were kidnapped.
Police traced most kidnappings to casino- or POGO-related activities.
Authorities have yet to rescue a Chinese woman who was abducted by three Chinese nationals in Makati City on Sunday.
But while the numbers may be alarming, Saliba said there is no reason for the public to panic.
“Although disturbing siya…hindi dapat matakot yung public kasi within their group lang ‘to, within their circle, so kung wala kang utang sa kanila, hindi ka nila gagalawin,” the official said.
[Translation: Even if it is disturbing, the public should not fear because it is confined within their circle. So if you’re not indebted to them, they won’t harm you.]
The victim arrived in the country on November 17 to work in a POGO where he was promised a salary of 6,000 yuan. However, he only worked for 11 days as his recruiter did not follow their agreement regarding the payment of his debt in Taiwan, the statement said.
On December 3, the victim was advised by the POGO’s supervisor to only stay inside his house or else he would have to pay the company 10,000 yuan as processing fee if he wants to go back to Taiwan. The POGO has been holding his passport since he arrived in the Philippines.
On December 11, the victim called Taiwan’s de facto embassy in the country to ask for help. The PNP-AKG operatives immediately responded on the same day and brought the victim to Camp Crame in Quezon City.
The victim decided not to pursue any case in court and executed an affidavit that he has was not filing a case. He cited lack of time to litigate as he has decided to go back to Taiwan.
