SAN SIMON, Pampanga – Police here confirmed that a Malaysian working for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator was kidnapped and killed despite paying ransom last October.
Malaysian national news agency Bernama reported on December 11 that a Malaysian who worked in Manila was kidnapped on October 22 and later killed by a group of unidentified assailants who demanded a ransom of 330,000 Malaysian ringgits or equivalent to P3,943,000.
Police Major Narciso Zingalawa Jr., chief of police here, identified the victim as Jason, 40.
Zingalawa said the body of the victim was dumped in an irrigation canal in Barangay San Miguel.
Jason sustained multiple bullet wounds in the body and was blindfolded and wearing pants and T-shirt when he was found, police said.
Zingalawa said the case is now being handled by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). "Ang National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-NCR na ang humahawak sa pag imbestiga sa nabanggit na kaso ng Malaysian (The National Bureau of Investigation-NCR is now handling the case of the Malaysian)," he added.
Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department Director Datuk Seri Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the ransom was paid via the cryptocurrency wallet USDT but on October 23, Philippine authorities received a report that the body of a man was found in San Simon, Pampanga.
Yoosuf said the physical description and tattoo on the body matched the description and tattoo of the victim who was kidnapped.