Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested three foreigners, including a former soldier in China, in an operation that stemmed from the alleged money-making racket amid the aggressive operation against the remaining Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.

CIDG-National Capital Region director Col. Marlon Quimno said the entrapment operation was targeting Changao He who was accused of getting P5 million from his fellow Chinese in exchange for the release of a foreigner arrested two months ago in an anti-POGO operation.

But Quimno said 32-year old Yong Pin Pang and 33-year old Ming Wei Xiong tried to save He during the operation at around 11 p.m. on Monday at the Chengdu Bistro, Hobbies of Asia in Pasay City. 

“While asking for identification from Ming Wei Xiong, he showed his photo on his cellular phone and our operatives noticed in some pictures that he was wearing a military uniform,” said Quimno.

“Upon interview, Ming Wei Xiong admitted he was a former member of People’s Liberation Army of China,” he added.

Quimno said his men immediately conducted entrapment after the complainant asked P2.5 million additional payment for the release of his friend.

The complainant earlier gave P5 million to He who assured that his contacts at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) will facilitate the release of the complainant’s friends. 

Coordination with the PAOCC disclosed that He was just using PAOCC to earn money from his fellow Chinese and this resulted in the conduct of the operation.

Quimno said appropriate criminal charges are now being readied against the three arrested Chinese.