Police rescue kidnapped Malaysian POGO worker in Pampanga
Anti-kidnapping operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) rescued a Malaysian following the arrest of two of his Indonesian captors during an entrapment operation Tuesday in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, director of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), said they mapped out the operation based on the request of the Malaysian Embassy in the Philippines to help them about a certain Lee Jun Sheng who was reportedly held captive since May.
“They informed us that kidnappers were demanding additional 12,000 RMB ransom money from the victims’ family,” he said.
Estomo said the victim was forcibly taken from his workplace May 16 by co-workers who then turned him over to another POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) company also based in the province.
Lee was subsequently returned to his previous employer who then reportedly demanded money from his parents for his board and lodging expenses.
Based on previous cases, POGO employees were usually held by their employers if and when they insist on going home without finishing their contracts
Supposedly, POGO employees do so with their employers cutting by at least 25 percent the promised salary and benefits due them once they arrive in the country.
Estomo said the parents of the victim had already paid a total of 11,000 Renminbi to the suspects in three separate occasions in May for the release of their son but the suspects demanded for more.
It was then that an entrapment was mapped out by the AKG operatives.
Maj. Ronaldo Lumactod, AKG spokesman, said several suspects were collared during the operation held around 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the parking lot of a mall in Angeles City.
“After the ransom money was delivered to the kidnappers, the pre-arranged signal was given to the operatives who subsequently effected the arrest of the suspects,” said Lumactod.
The suspects were identified as Indonesian Rano Herman and Malaysian Ong Way Plak.
The Filipino driver of the arrested suspects, according to Lumactod, was able to escape.
Lee was rescued in a follow-up operation in a place rented by the suspects.
Lumactod said appropriate charges are now being readied against the arrested suspects while the victim was already turned over to the Malaysian Embassy.