A Chinese national working for a Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) and a former military man were arrested for allegedly kidnapping two Chinese workers who wanted to leave the gaming company.
According to reports from the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), the suspects, identified as Zhu Li, who acted as a Pogo supervisor; and Julius Gangan, a former army officer, were nabbed in an operation in Clark, Pampanga, on Feb. 24.
Rescued from the hotel room at the Fontana Leisure Park were victims identified as Chenger Qiang and Zhuang Song Qin.
The rescue came after friends of the victims sought assistance from authorities.
Both victims worked for the Shidaiken Technology Corporation but eventually wanted to leave as early as October 2019, due to demands not addressed by their employers.
However, Zhu, Gangan and another Chinese national reportedly kidnapped the victims from their hotel rooms in Makati City.
During the operation of the PNP-AKG’s Luzon field unit, Gangan was caught watching over the victims. He eventually disclosed the location of Zhu, who was at a nearby hotel.
Reports from police said that the abductors were demanding a ransom of RMB150,000 or over P1 million.
Investigators also said that the victims, who were detained for two days, bore signs of abuse, such as wounds and other marks on their bodies.
A .45-caliber Armscor pistol was recovered from Gangan’s sling bag, along with two magazines with six bullets each, two handcuffs, a knife, and a gun holster.
A Toyota Alphard, which the victims claimed was used by the suspects to transport them from Makati to Pampanga, was also recovered at the hotel parking lot.
Abu Sayyaf demands P30M for 5 Indonesian fishermen
Homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf is demanding a ransom of P30 million for five Indonesian fishermen held captive by the group for more than a month.
Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, chief of Western Mindanao Command, said that government troops in Sulu intercepted information about the ransom demand.
Sobejana said the captors called the fishing company, where the five Indonesians worked, to relay the demand, noting that a Filipino serving as the fishing company’s liaison is aware of the demand.
The five Indonesians were snatched in waters off Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia, on Jan. 15 by a group reportedly led by a certain Bong.
They were brought to Sulare Island, part of Sulu’s Parang town located some 16 kilometers from the Sulu mainland, where the captives were handed over to another group, reportedly led by a certain Abu Mike.
The five Indonesian captives were identified as Riswanto Bin Hayono, Edi Bin Lawalopo, La Baa, Arizal Kastamiran and Arshad Bin Dahlan Juragan.
Sobejana said that the military would stick to its long-standing policy of paying no ransom.
A sixth victim held by the group was identified as Dr. Daniel Moreno, a Jolo-based physician who was abducted on Feb. 4.
Abu Sayyaf is notorious for committing kidnappings, often inflicting harm on its victims if ransom demands are not met.
The group is able to stay active despite major offensives against it by the military.
