2 Chinese nabbed for kidnapping over gambling debt

PNP-AKG members arrest two Chinese nationals for kidnapping a compatriot in Parañaque City on Tuesday (Dec. 10, 2019). The suspects Wan Renhong and Wan Liang, both members of a loan shark syndicate, abducted Wang Hong for failing to pay his gambling debt. (Photo courtesy of PNP-AKG)

MANILA — Anti-kidnapping operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have arrested two Chinese nationals for abducting a compatriot who fell victim to a loan shark syndicate.

Lt. Col. Villaflor Banawagan, Luzon field unit commander of Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), on Thursday identified the suspects as Wan Renhong and Wan Liang, who were members of a loan shark syndicate.

Citing the affidavit of the victim named Wang Hong, Banawagan said the victim lost in a gambling spree on December 4 and got a loan worth PHP1 million with 15-percent interest.

While the victim checked in a hotel at Parañaque City on December 8, the kidnappers warned that he would be killed if he could not pay his loan.

The victim, who was detained, managed to report the incident to his friend who later reported to the police which led to his rescue and the arrest of the suspects on Tuesday night.

The suspects are facing kidnapping for ransom with serious illegal detention after undergoing inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday.