
Police arrested a Taiwanese and his alleged Filipino cohort tagged in the kidnapping of a 41-year old female Chinese in two separate operations in Las Piñas City and Pasay City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed on Thursday, April 24.
PNP chief, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said both suspects are now facing charges for Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention under Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code, adding that the case is currently under final documentation and is set for immediate filing with the proper judicial authorities.
“We will never allow acts of kidnapping and illegal detention to go unpunished. Whether the victims are Filipinos or foreign nationals, the PNP will take swift, decisive action to uphold the law and protect the lives and rights of every individual in this country,” said Marbil.
Police said it was the Taiwanese who was first collared in a subdivision in Las Piñas City on Tuesday morning, April 22, while the second suspect was nabbed in Barangay 19 in Pasay City several hours later.
Based on the police report, the operation stemmed from the complaint of the female victim after she was freed by the suspects in Parañaque City on April 20.
The victim was forcibly taken on April 17 and was freed after paying P500,000 which was later converted to a cryptocurrency that was sent to a US dollar account.
The statement by the victim was used for intelligence gathering which later resulted in the identification of the two suspects.
Marbil earlier ordered police commanders to intensify the operations against the kidnap-for ransom group following the kidnap-slay of businessman Anson Que and the spread of disinformation on kidnapping of wealthy traders.
“The PNP continues to strengthen its operational capabilities in response to the directive of the President to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights and welfare of all individuals in the Philippines,” said Marbil.