Philippine police on February 17 successfully rescued a Chinese citizen who was kidnapped in Malabon City, Manila. Three suspects were arrested in the incident. According to the report, the victim was a former employee of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) who lost his job and was defrauded while looking for a new job. The kidnappers demanded a $300,000 ransom from the victim's family.
According to the police investigation, in the early morning of February 12, three suspects defrauded the victim by giving a fake job offer. After being taken to a remote area, the suspects kidnapped him. The next day, the victim's companion noticed his disappearance and immediately reported to the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) of the Philippine police.
Authorities immediately launched an investigation, tracking the kidnappers' movements for six days. During this time, the victim's companion received a ransom demand through Telegram, where the suspects threatened that they would not release the victim until the amount of $300,000 was paid.
With close monitoring, AKG and the Malabon City Police successfully launched the rescue operation last February 17 in the evening at Victoria Court near MacArthur Highway, Potrero. The victim was found inside a white Toyota Fortuner with a changed license plate. Three suspects were caught at the scene of the operation, and the vehicle used in the crime was confiscated as well as other evidence.
Currently, the police are preparing the cases against the suspects who will file a formal complaint. According to Colonel Elmer Ragay, head of the Anti-Kidnapping Group, the operation once again proved that the police are serious about suppressing kidnapping cases. He also warned criminals: “No matter what you do, we will pursue you to make sure you are punished by the law.”
