By Dhel Nazario/Jean Fernando
Two Chinese nationals were arrested yesterday for allegedly detaining a businessman, who owed them P300,000, in a hotel in Parañaque City.
Police identified the suspects as Xiong Tao, 31, and Liao Yifei, 28, both billeted at Sky Tower Hotel of the Solaire Resort and Casino on Aseana Avenue in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City. Two more Chinese nationals involved in the victim’s detention are now hunted by authorities.
Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario said Parañaque police rescued at around 5 a.m. the victim, Chou Yin-Chin, 37, a Chinese businessman billeted at V-Hotel in Malate, Manila.
Initial investigation revealed that Parañaque police received a telephone call from the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO) regarding the illegal detention of Chou who arrived in the country as tourist last June 11.
It was learned that the suspects detained the victim in their hotel room after the latter failed to pay his P300,000 debt.
Parañaque police immediately launched an operation that resulted in the arrest of the two Chinese and the rescue of Chou.
During investigation, the victim admitted that he borrowed P300,000 from the suspects after losing money in the casino.
The victim also said that the suspects contacted his family in Taipei, telling them that he would only be released after paying his debt. His relatives then sought the help of TECO.
Police probers are coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration to determine the status of the two suspects in the country.
