Taiwanese, 6 Chinese in foiled kidnap face raps

FILE: FOILED KIDNAP TRY. The PNP-Anti Kidnapping Group presents to the media on Tuesday (Sept. 24, 2019) six Chinese Nationals and one Taiwanese national who attempted to kidnap three employees of POGO in Pasay City. The suspects are now facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. (Photo courtesy of PNP-AKG via PNA)

MANILA — Six Chinese nationals and a Taiwanese national are facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention for attempting to abduct three employees of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) firm in Pasay City, the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) said on Tuesday.

AKG spokesperson, Lt. Col. Elmer Cereno, identified the suspects as Chen Xin, 28, Liu Chen, 37, Yang Shuwen, 26, Wei Chong, 22, Zhang Lee, 30 and Qi Long, 22, all Chinese nationals and Taiwanese Yu John Ruei, 26.

Cereno said the Chinese victims Xu Jinming, Xu Huanbo and Ou Kailang, employees of Wan Hao Co. based in Las Piñas City, were at the departure area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 at around 8 p.m. Sunday to supposedly meet with the suspects for the processing of their travel documents.

However, the suspects forced them inside a van and a commotion ensued which got the attention of police officers from the Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) who were patrolling the area.

The suspects and victims were then turned over to the AKG for investigation.

It turned out the victims arrived in the country last July 28 to work for Wan Hao Co. with a monthly salary ranging from 10,000 renminbi (RMB) to 20,000 RMB with two days off.

For his part, Lt. Col Joel Saliba, who heads the AKG’s Luzon Field Office, said the victims were surprised that their monthly salary was 6,000 RMB and were required to work 12 to 14 hours a day and six days a week.

This prompted them to report their condition at the Chinese Embassy where some of the suspects met them with the promise of helping them process their documents for their trip back to China.

“Wala pa tayong idea kung ano ang purpose nung pag-abduct sa kanila (We still do not have an idea as to the purpose of their abduction),” Saliba told reporters in a press conference held at Camp Crame, noting they are having difficulty communicating with the suspects.