“We can assure that our place is safe. What happened recently only involved Chinese nationals,” said Chan on the bloody evening encounter between the police and four Chinese who were allegedly behind the abduction of their compatriot.
The four Chinese were killed after they allegedly fought back with the police who had launched a rescue operation for an abducted Chinese businessman.
The fatalities were identified as Lin Heng, You Yiping, Li Fengqiang, and Gong Jinming.
They allegedly kidnapped Lyu Xingou last May 25 while the 70-year-old victim was about to leave his house in Barangay Lahug here.
The shootout took place in a house located inside an exclusive subdivision in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City.
The shootout happened more than three weeks after two Chinese were arrested for allegedly kidnapping their compatriot.
Rong Tong Xue and Gou Min Li were arrested in a house in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City where their captive was also rescued. Police said a Chinese kidnap-for-ransom group may be behind the recent abductions.
Chan said the recent incidents may have been triggered by a squabble among Chinese. “Among nakita nga dunay away-away nila didto pa sa China...dunay nagdiktar ngadto sa China pag-kidnap aning mga negosyante nga naa nag-negosyo sa atoang syudad (We suspect that the infighting that started in China. Someone has ordered the abduction of Chinese businessmen who are doing business in the city),” Chan said.
Chan said the first kidnapping involving Chinese suspects and victims happened between November and December last year.
The Lapu-Lapu City mayor thanked the police and the Chinese community for their cooperation that helped gather vital information in the investigation.
Chan said he will meet all officials of the homeowners associations to map out their security plans. “The homeowners’ officers should instruct their security guards to really check the people coming in and out of their subdivisions,” Chan said.