Police arrested eight foreigners for their alleged involvement in kidnapping-for-ransom of a Chinese online gaming operator in a raid in Parañaque City.
Nabbed were Zhao Peng Peng, 32; Zou Lin, 24; Ma Qiang, 29; Li Zhen Yu, 23; Gao Ming Yan, 28; Gao Wen, 33; Chen Keju, 23; and Luigi Chong, 26. Also arrested was their alleged Filipino cohort identified as Rea joy Nafeda, 25.
Maj. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the operation was based on the complaint of victim Cao Qi who was allegedly kidnapped on August 25.
Cao told the police that the suspects suddenly appeared and handcuffed him and was later took him to a rented house in Paranaque City. He was then asked to pay a large sum of money in exchange for his release.
“After 24 hours, he was released in the condition that the rented car will remain in their possession until he produces the money. The victim went to owner of the rented car and informed him of what transpired the previous day. The two immediately reported the incident to CIDG,” said Ferro.
CIDG operatives then raided the area and resulted in the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the rented car.
Seized in the area were a 12-gauge shotgun, a 9mm pistol, a .380 caliber gun, two handcuffs, a medium-size plastic sachet believed to be containing shabu, and assorted drug paraphernalia.
“Allegedly, suspects are members of a kidnapping group, victimizing foreign nationals involved in online gaming operations,” said Ferro.
Cases for violations of Republic Act 10883 (Carnapping), Art 267 of the Revised Penal Code (Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention), Section 11 and 12 of RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act) and Art. 5, Section 28 of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) were filed against the suspects.