THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced yesterday the arrest of five alleged members of a kidnap-for-ransom syndicate victimizing Chinese tourists in the country.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said agents from the BI Fugitive Search Unit (FSU), together with members of the Philippine National Police Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), arrested the aliens last Nov. 28 at their hideout on Sampaloc Street in Casimiro Village, Las Pinas City.
Morente said the team was able to rescue another Chinese man who was also held captive by the suspects while awaiting payment of ransom.
The BI chief said PNP-AKG requested to conduct joint operations against the Chinese involved in the kidnapping of their compatriots last year.
“While the victims have been released, they reported that the perpetrators remain in their hideout with more victims,” he added.
During the operation, the raiders discovered another hostage.
Those arrested were identified as Wang Rui, Li Ming, Ju Wenping, Liu Ming, and Li Sanjiu.
According to BI FSU Chief Bobby Raquepo, the rescued victim, whose name had been withheld for his protection, had positively identified the suspects as his abductors.
A check of the BI’s travel database showed the suspects recently arrived as tourists.
They are now in the custody of the PNP-AKG which is readying criminal charges against them. (Jun Ramirez)
