Anti-kidnapping operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) rescued on Wednesday a 29-year old Australian following the arrest of his four captors in a raid in Makati City.
Chief Supt. Glenn Dumlao, director of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), said the kidnapping of Australian Jianting Chen is another case of loan sharks in Philippine casinos which are preying on tourist who would gamble in the country.
“He went to the Philippines and he was befriended by the suspects,” said Dumlao.
He said the victim was kidnapped because he owes money to the suspects who are members of the Chinese loan sharks syndicate.
He identified the suspects as You Hua, 30; Zhao Ping Zheng, 29; Hao Meng Zheng, 35; and Xue Zhao, a 23-year old female Chinese.
Dumlao said the operation stemmed from coordination with Australian authorities about the case of Chen who was then being held in an apartment in Barangay San Antonio, Makati City.
The suspects were reportedly demanding 200,000 Ren Min Bi, the official currency of China, in exchange for his release.
The suspects reportedly even threatened the family of the victim that they would cut his finger if they fail to give in to their demand.
The victim, however, was able to call a friend based in Hongking, who in turn informed Australian authorities about the kidnapping.
Dumlao said the victim was rescued during the operation on Wednesday afternoon. (Aaron Recuenco)
